Daviess County voters turned out in good numbers yesterday and, in many instances, made decisive choices on various issues affecting pocketbooks, schools, and local government. Local voters bucked against statewide results, endorsing Proposition B to authorize concealed weapons by a 287-vote margin.
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Daviess County voters turned out in good numbers yesterday and, in many instances, made decisive choices on various issues affecting pocketbooks, schools, and local government.
Local voters bucked against statewide results, endorsing Proposition B to authorize concealed weapons by a 287-vote margin. Proposition B narrowly failed to get a majority of the vote statewide, however, and thus was defeated. Statewide the vote was 676,626-no (51.75%), 630,835-yes (48.25%).
Daviess County voters joined other voters statewide in defeating Proposition A, which would have initiated a fee for wireless 911 emergency response service. The vote failed here by nearly a 2-to-1 margin. Statewide there were 57.5% against the measure (732,394 votes) compared to 42.5% in favor (541,696 votes).
County Clerk Linda Steward reports a 47% voter turnout overall. Marion Township had the distinction of recording the best voter turnout with 115 of the 157 registered voters participating (73%). Jamesport had an unusually high voter turnout at 60%, prompted by the mayor’s race and a fire district proposal.
There will be no fire district at Jamesport, at least not at this time. Voters not only voted against a 30-cent tax proposal (237-no, 116-yes) but also even to incorporate the district (209-no, 158- yes).
The only countywide issue before all voters throughout Daviess County was a proposed 8-cent tax increase for the county health department. The proposal failed to reach the necessary simple majority for passage by 187 votes. Wendy Holcomb defeated Larry Tull for health department trustee, 1,148-989.
Recent turmoil in Jamesport city government focusing on police issues and other matters also attracted voter attention. Write-in candidate J.L. Eckelberry was elected mayor yesterday with 162 votes. Other candidates were Julie Martin 76, Alva Dale Souders 6, Sam Robb 1, and George Larkin 1. For west ward alderperson, Leona Waterbury narrowly defeated Fern Rosenbaum, 58-53. The other west ward candidate, Roberta Henderson, recorded 34 votes.
Lake Viking voters overwhelmingly approved a $370,000 bond proposal for Special Road District #1. A four-sevenths majority was necessary; 170 voters said yes while 42 voted no. The bond issue was decided mathematically by the 121st yes vote among the 212 total votes cast.
Voters in seven townships renewed ongoing property tax levies yesterday with simple majorities deciding each issue. But at Jameson, a 20-cent tax renewal issue failed to obtain the necessary two-thirds majority required for municipalities. The Jameson tax is not renewed even though 16 voted yes and 11 voted no.