In April, Bisbee became the first city in Arizona to ban plastic bags. But it wasn't without opposition. Now some residents now want to put that ban to a vote.
When Bisbee banned the bag, it was a decision by the city council. That's what bothers local resident Susan Blackford. She thinks the choice should be up to the people.
So Blackford and about a dozen helpers are trying to collect more than 600 signatures before July 3. This is not about the envrionment, she insisted. She said that it's about the city council not interfering with her rights.
"They’re making a lot of changes and lifestyle things, like the ban, without consulting us as citizens," Blackford said, "and we’re being forced to do this."
However, supporters of the ban say Bisbee has the opportunity to send a message to the rest of the state. This isn’t the first the time city council has dealt with a controversial issue. Last year, the council became the first in Arizona to approve civil unions for same-sex couples.
