Marty,

If it is stopped today, your own estimates have the cost at close to a $1,000,000 - for nothing tangible.  But it can't be stopped today.   Construction won't be stopped even when you get 850 signatures.  As it has been stated, there is about a 100 day timeframe from your presentment of the signatures to a referendum outcome.  All the while the costs will continue.  IF the referendum is held, construction will continue and costs to cancel will continue to rise.   At that point, we will be well past $1.5 million - for nothing. 

Let's face it - this petition would have been a whole lot more palatable if it had been done many months ago.   

Tony