For the second straight night, members of the community spoke passionately in favor of the $10 municipal fee. For the second straight night, it did not make a difference.

Despite the outpouring of support, the Ironton City Council voted down, with a count of 5-2, the fee that would have generated more than $500,000 to fill the city's half million dollar deficit between revenues and expenses. Many hoped it could provide funding for economic development and potentially allow the city to bring back some of the 10 employees that were laid off May 1.

In part because they remain unhappy with the situation, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 771 union plans to strike at 6 a.m. Tuesday unless a last-minute resolution can be reached in Monday's arbitration meeting.

Once again, ordinance sponsors Chuck O'Leary and Chairman Jim Tordiff cast the sole votes for the fee.

"My philosophy is that it is not good enough for this city to survive. I want it to thrive," Tordiff said. "My opinion is the city has a very small chance if we don't do something to help ourselves."

Councilmen Bob Isaac, Bill Nenni, Richard Price, Brent Pyles and Jesse Roberts voted against the fee for reasons that included a lack of a clear plan by the mayor as to how the money would be used, questions about if the majority of residents support the fee and questions on if the current structure of the fee is the best alternative.

On the bright side, it finally appeared that the opposing sides were willing to work together after nearly three hours of heated debate between Mayor John Elam, council and residents. Several councilmen indicated they may support a $5 fee if it had a clear-cut expiration date. Council said they were willing to sit down and try to come up with a new plan.

"There are those of us up here that are not convinced (the $10 fee) is the way to go. We know it would be easier for us if we just said 'yes'," Roberts said before he appeared torn in casting his 'no' vote. "We are not just haphazardly up here making decisions."

Councilman Pyles said he was worried that the fee would only fill the $500,000 deficit that exists even with the layoffs and that it did not really accomplish anything.

Price agreed that the plan did not address the problems in sanitation, but tried to emphasize to the restless audience that the council was only trying to make the right decision.

"We are all wanting to do what is best for the city," he said.

Regardless, many citizens challenged the council to get behind the mayor and allow him to do his job.

"The city is down. The people are willing to help," resident Tony Bowen said. "I think it is ironic that the only stumbling block is the people we elected to represent us."

Pastor Steve Harvey made an impassioned plea for council to "do something" in a speech that had the power of a Sunday sermon as it was greeted with roaring applause.

"This is a no-brainer. This is not about $10 a month," he said. "It is about unity, harmony and trust."

Several of the dissenting councilmen did propose other ideas such as the lower fee, putting an income tax increase on the ballot or holding a special election to see what the residents truly want.

No future meeting was set. But everyone hoped this was the first step

that could allow the city to head towards a brighter future.