Local Government Law

The world of local government is a place of remarkable occurrences: At the meeting of the governing authority, the chambers were overflowing, passions were palpable, and the media descended in droves. The vote was taken on the re-zoning petition. The council's vote was evenly split. The newly elected Mayor would have to break the tie.

He announced to all that he did not know how he should vote. He then proceeded to toss a coin into the air, explaining that if it was "heads," he would vote "yes," and if it was "tails," he would vote "no." As if in slow motion, the coin descended-and the Mayor voted "yes."! The law applicable to local governments, both decisional and statutory, is no less remarkable.