Woodstock voters will not face a referendum question when they head to the polls this fall.
WOODSTOCK - Woodstock City Council has shut down a request for a referendum question on the upcoming election ballots.
The inquiry was submitted by Kate Leatherbarrow and it would have read as follows;
"Are you in favour of the council of the city of Woodstock passing a new by-law to better protect vulnerable community members such as children, women, and high school students by requiring that signage, advertising, or other public messaging not contravene the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards?"
Councillor Jerry Acchione says its matter that needs to be handled at a higher level of government.
"This is a case where it's more of a federal issue unfortunately; it's Charter of Rights, freedom of speech. We don't feel as a city that this is something that we can certainly handle and take care of ourselves for fiscal reasons, taxpayer reasons and man power reasons."
Leatherbarrow has been trying to shine light on this topic over the past couple of months. Acchione says he understands her concerns.
"As a father I certainly don't like the images myself, but I'm also a city councillor so I have a fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers as well so I have to wear two hats and make the best decision possible."
Leatherbarrow presented a passionate delegation to council on the matter late last year. Council sent correspondence to the federal government as a result, and it has since been referred to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

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