Fairview Heights resident Larry Herrin has suggested that voters should be allowed to vote on the Ruby Lane interchange proposal in November.

Here's what City Council members had to say:

*Ward 1 Alderman Joshua Frawley did not return an email or calls for comment.

* Ward 1 Alderman Norm Miller said it may be too late for a referendum because the City Council may be ready to vote after it learns more about the proposed interchange.

"Why did they wait so long in the game? Why didn't they do this before we spent so much money on the studies and engineer firms? We spent this money for the study on Ruby Lane ... Until we get that information and see the whole outline, what we paid for, how it's going to look and how it's going to work, I don't see how anyone can say anything one way or another."

* Ward 2 Alderman Speed Allen said residents from all over the city, not just in his ward, regularly stop him to tell him they are against a Ruby Lane interchange.

"I think (a referendum is) needed because people are trying to trick us into thinking the majority of the people want the interchange there."

Allen said some claim that no residents want a Union Hill interchange. But Allen said some of his constituents there have said, "'Let us know. We're ready to go.' They want to get a payout and leave. Some of them are ready to settle into something smaller."

*Ward 2 Alderman Roger Lowry said a public poll would always play a part in how he votes because he's there to represent the public, but he would want to know the cost of putting a referendum on the ballot.

"I'm not in favor of spending any more money until we get more information. The best thing we can do now is to get more information."

Lowry said the city will have its annual budget review in February -- and a look at the city's financial issues may determine there's no money for a project or referendum.

* Ward 3 Alderwoman Pat Baeske questioned what purpose the referendum would serve if state and federal authorities have the ultimate authority in where an interchange would be placed and the ability to fund the project.

*Ward 3 Alderman Scott Greenwald said a referendum showing what the residents want would put an end to a project for a costly interchange at a bad location that would disrupt homes.

"I think it would be neat if we could do it," Greenwald said. "If it would put this Ruby Lane stuff to bed, yeah, I would want it on the ballot."

Greenwald said Ruby Lane is not the proper place for an interchange and if the city has to wait another eight to 10 years to get approval for another location, then so be it.

*Ward 4 Alderwoman Linda Arnold declined to comment.

*Ward 4 Alderwoman Carol Warner said residents are deprived of adequate representation if Arnold can't vote and a referendum would show residents are overwhelmingly against the project.

"She represents so many people who are directly involved in this, it seems almost criminal not to allow her to vote on their behalf."

Warner said the Ruby Lane proposal only modifies the current interchange at Illinois 159 and what the city really needs is a separate, second interchange exit.

*Ward 5 Alderwoman Sandy Baldwin said she always thinks that residents should have a say in how governments are run and she will learn more about the referendum.

"But whether or not we go out to referendum, we have to educate everyone in our city so that everyone understands exactly what's happening and why the decisions are made the way they're made."

Baldwin said she believes the priority should be the safety of residents going in and out of the city and she won't second guess an engineer's determination on what's safe.

*Ward 5 Alderwoman Bonnie Crossley did not provide a comment.

What is the referendum process?

St. Clair County Clerk Bob Delaney recommends anyone interested in placing a referendum on the ballot should to get legal counsel.

An attorney could help determine how the referendum is worded, whether the referendum will be binding or nonbinding or the number of signatures needed on a petition for a referendum.

To have a referendum on the November ballot, residents and city leaders would have to file the necessary paperwork by an August deadline.

Residents have to submit petitions to the County Clerk's Office by Aug. 6.

The City Council would have to pass a resolution to place the referendum on the ballot by Aug. 20 and file the paperwork with the County Clerk's Office by Aug. 30.