"We know what the people want:" Debate continues over proposed Milwaukee streetcar

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The debate over a proposed streetcar line in Milwaukee continues to create headlines.

Some are hoping to force the Common Council to allow city residents to weigh-in.

The clock is ticking for activists to gather more than 30,000 signatures on a petition in order to force a referendum on the topic. That effort continued Saturday, February 7th, as organizers held a petition rally.

The group Citizens for Responsible Government set up shop temporarily at the Washington Park Senior Citizens Center.

Saturday's goal was to allow those who want to be on the front lines of the petition drive to drop off the signatures they've already collected -- as well as pick up new forms to circulate.

It also offered the chance to sign the petition, for those who had not yet done so.

"Well the bottom line is if we don't turn in 31,000 valid signatures they can do whatever the heck they want...and we know this is an 80-20 issue, we know what the people want just by the anecdotal data we're bringing in we can prove it by bringing in the signatures," said Chris Kliesmet, of Citizens for Responsible Government.

The petitioners need to raise 31,000 signatures in order to force a referendum concerning possible streetcar construction.