stating that referendum power “is an exercise in democracy that profoundly affects the relationship between the citizens and their government by afford *481 ing the people the last word if they choose to take a stand against the wisdom of an ordinance that the government has enacted”
How later courts described this case
- stating that referendum power “is an exercise in democracy that profoundly affects the relationship between the citizens and their government by afford *481 ing the people the last word if they choose to take a stand against the wisdom of an ordinance that the government has enacted”
- holding that “we owe no deference to the trial court’s legal conclusions” (citing Manalapan Realty Realty v. Twp. Comm. of Manalapan, 140 N.J. 366, 378, 658 A.2d 1230 (1995))
- noting that Court must read statute’s sections “‘to provide a harmonious whole’” (quoting Burnett v. Cnty. of Bergen, 198 N.J. 408, 421 (2009)). The plain language of N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(a
- stating that when reviewing two separate statutes addressing the same subject matter, courts must read the statutes in pari materia and attempt to reconcile them
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
Chief Justice RABNER,
dissenting.
I would affirm the judgment of the Appellate Division substantially for the reasons expressed in Judge Carchman’s thoughtful opinion. In re Petition for Referendum on Trenton Ordinance 09-02, 411 N.J.Super. 135 , 984 A.2d 895 (App.Div.2009).
For reversal—Justices LONG, LaVECCHIA, ALBIN, WALLACE and HOENS—5.
For affirmance—Chief Justice RABNER—1.