Updated Sep 23, 2009 - 2:17 pm
Group petitions to cancel Glenn Beck Day
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MyNorthwest.com
A local advocacy group says that 16,000 people have signed a petition to be presented to the Mt. Vernon City Council Wednesday asking the council to cancel "Glenn Beck Day."
"Our problem is with honoring Glenn Beck," said Aaron Ostrom with FUSE Washington.
Mount Vernon Mayor Bud Norris declared September 26th Glenn Beck Day to honor the radio and TV host that grew up in Mount Vernon.
Norris will be awarding Beck the key to the city in a ceremony at Skagit Valley College at 5:30 p.m.
"I don't think we're going to change the mayor's mind, but we'd like the city council to stand up for all the residents of Mount Vernon that disagree with him," said Ostrom.
The petition isn't the first public criticism of Norris' decision. The Skagit Valley Herald reported that dozens of protestors marched with signs outside City Hall after the initial announcement in early September.
"It has put Mount Vernon in a light that is just frustrating as a councilmember, to have people calling you and emailing you saying they're not going to come here," city councilmember Joe Lindquist told KIRO Radio's Dave Ross.
Lindquist says there's little the council can do to cancel the celebration.
Some local businesses say they're already feeling the pinch from the up-coming festivities.
"I think it's short-sided to not come to Mount Vernon because of one person's decision to give somebody the key," said Lindquist.
Beck got his start in radio in Mount Vernon and his TV show is now one of the most highly rated on Fox News. His nationally syndicated radio show can be heard locally on 770 KTTH The Truth.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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