WARRENVILLE -- Monday night's meeting of the Horse Creek Merchants Association at Bobby's Bar-B-Que could've been set in colonial times, as the phrase Taxation without Representation resounded loudly through the restaurant.

More than 60 people filed into the restaurant to discuss the business license ordinance that was approved last December by town council, and will be implemented within the municipality July 1.

"We are organizing into groups, and we're going to go house by house and street by street to find out who's against or in favor of the business ordinance," said Mel Minitor, Horse Creek Merchants Association. Issues as to where the municipality was going to spend the money were answered  at the meeting by councilman Wayne New.

"The citizens came to the council and told us they wanted a fourth full time policeman," said New. "This will enable the municipality to have policeman on duty, 24 hours a day seven days a week, so the town will be able to be eligible and qualify for a number of federal grants. "A number of people questioned whether or not the business license ordinance would generate enough funding to enable hiring another police officer.  There were also questions as to why a feasibility study was never conducted to determine how the ordinance would impact the city.

"There are no plans to impose a property tax," said New. "The business license ordinance was approved to enhance the police department. If we don't generate enough money from the license to hire another policeman, I'll vote to repeal the ordinance."

The Burnettown Town Council will meet Monday at 6 p.m.