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Lee County residents who were fighting the controversial garbage fee can rest a little easier because the issue won’t be on this summer’s ballot.

According to Lee County Probate Court Judge John Wheaton, opponents of the measure collected 3,749 signatures from registered voters for a referendum on the issue.  That’s more than the 3,377, or 20% of registered voter signatures required by law to constitute a valid petition.  Judge Wheaton says this move coupled with the commission’s vote to reverse the ordinance last month made the recall question a moot point.  “It is no longer necessary for this Court to call for a special election for the purpose of submitting the Repeal Question to the registered voters of Lee County, Georgia for their approval or rejection pursuant to the Petition of Repeal. SO ORDERED this 5^th day of April. 2012”