Pressured by a state deadline to either reduce the number of wards or place the issue before voters, City Council put it on the Nov. 2 ballot.

If the "yes" votes prevail on Norwood's Issue 8, City Council would be allowed to continue with three at-large members and six ward representatives. But if the "no" votes win, council would be reduced to three at-large members and four ward representatives.

In the 1990 Census, Norwood's population dropped to 23,674, below the minimum of 25,000 required by state law for six wards. But state election officials told the city the total was close enough that council could stay at nine. But the population fell even more - to 21,675 - in the 2000 Census.

Mayor Tom Williams and a few council members have spoken in favor of retaining a nine-member council. They acknowledge that lopping the number of wards from six to four would save $15,000 in council salaries. But they warn that council members would not be able to serve the larger wards as effectively.

"When you have council members concentrating on a smaller area, it increases the service they provide," Williams said.

Some council members have said they would be willing to reduce council salaries.

"Our idea is to leave it up to the voters," Williams said. "If the voters want (a smaller council), that's fine."

A Norwood group called Citizens for a Better Norwood is urging people to vote "no" and reduce council from nine to seven members. Carmen McKeehan, who co-chairs the group, said the quality of council would improve with fewer members.

E-mail skemme@enquirer.com