WHEELING, W.Va. -- The two-officer-per-cruiser issue was the hot topic at the City Council meeting in Wheeling Tuesday night.

Some thought the issue was dead in the water when the petition was ruled invalid and petitioner George Jones said he wouldn't seek another one, but he went back before the council to plead with them to put it on the ballot anyway.

"I would like to see the petition put on the ballot and give the citizens an opportunity to vote," said Jones.

Jones claimed council members encouraged his efforts when he started the petition. But when it failed, he said he felt abandoned, so he asked them for “political courage.”

"If you want a public statement, I have nothing to hide. I support the two-man cruiser issue. I will never support the rescinding of the two-man cruiser issue, and I will also work to keep the two-man cruiser [ordinance] in effect,” said 2nd Ward councilman Vernon Seals.

"I've always supported you guys. I believe the police chief should make the decision," said 5th Ward councilman Don Atkinson.

Judge Arthur Recht ruled the petition was invalid in November and there were allegations some of the signatures were forged.

"Yes, Mickey Mouse signed it,” Jones said.

“I'm talking about when somebody's legal name was put on that petition and they stated they did not sign that petition. That's what I'm calling fraud," said Seals.

Jones claimed the issue can still go to ballot if council members put it there.

"It does not say ‘by vote of the people.' It does not say that petition is required to have a vote by the people," said Jones.

Mayor Andy McKenzie said the city is standing by the solicitor's advice that a valid petition is the only way it will get on the ballot.

"You don't like it, and I understand that, but that's the decision that we've made as council,” said McKenzie. City officials said the issue, as it stands, has no shot at making it on the ballot.