Members of a curbside recycling group have been told they need to get only the names of 6,372 registered voters for their petition drive.
Frank DePinto, the group's leader, said he received a letter from Jerry Summers, attorney for the election office, on the issue.
Mr. DePinto said, "It was pointed out to me that in fact we need only to address the city ordinance which requires 25% signatures of the last city mayoral election - this number of signatures being 6.372 registered Chattanooga city voters."
He said he will set as a goal of 7,000 signatures due to the fact some people might not be registered Chattanooga voters.
The said the fourth paragraph of the letter from attorney Summers states:
"Therefore, the petitioners will only have to have 25% of the votes cast for all candidates for mayor at the last election which results in the number in excess of 6,000 (6,372), rather than the almost 14,000 (13,196) signatures previously considered to be the valid number."
He said Mr. Summers in the next paragraph goes on the say that the city could launch a "court challenge" on the issue. Mr. DePinto said, "However, if we get the 6,372 signatures, I would be happy to face that 'court challenge' by the city."
The petition asks for a referendum on continuing curbside recycling.