Originally published November 3, 2009 at 11:23 a.m., updated November 3, 2009 at 11:23 a.m.
Larry Helfery finishes filling out a ballot Tuesday morning as St. Joseph residents cast their votes in the November eleciton.
There was a steady stream of voters at several Buchanan County precincts Tuesday morning. A good turnout in comparison to April, the last time voters came to the polls for a levy issue.
"We've been busier than I thought we'd be," said Lucille Knapp, a poll worker Wyatt Park Baptist Church. "It'll be a pretty long day."
The church, which is the largest voting precinct in the county, had close to 500 voters before 9 a.m.
County residents living within the St. Joseph School District were at the polls to vote on a 63-cent property tax levy increase with a five-year sunset clause. In April, voters rejected a 63-cent tax levy continuation without a sunset clause and a separate bond issue to build two new schools.
Workers at other poll stations in town also saw consistent traffic for the school district levy.
With 1,960 registered voters at Ashland United Methodist Church, 215 voters had already come in to cast their ballot by 9:15 a.m.
And South Side voting precinct saw more turnout than expected. Lake Contrary Elementary School had 55 voters around 10 a.m.
"But that's pretty good for us," said Richard Meng, a poll worker at the elementary school. "We're not use to that kind of turnout. This issue brings out a lot of people."
The site usually sees 100 to 150 voters during an election. There are a little less than 2,200 registered.
"We're seeing about 75 (voters) an hour," said Thomas Bingaman, a poll worker at New Hope Foursquare Church.
The site had 325 voters at 10:15 a.m. Mr. Bingaman said the turnout is fairly consistent with what he saw as a poll worker at April's election.
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heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
mr. conway, i believe i am going to win that bet!!!!
November 3, 2009 at 1:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
StJoeMoe says...
I voted this AM and the polling station was busy, I was amazed.
I had planned on voting no, for several reasons.
Then, the annoying phone calls to vote no started coming in, then the pre-recorded messages asking me to vote no, how totally annoying.
So, I did some soul searching, in part thanks to all those annoying calls, and in part to the fact there is a lot I truly do like about about schools.
I voted YES today, YES I did.
November 3, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
schoolside says...
I hope many did some soul searching. Even if we win this fight the battle is far from over but it buys some time.
We are so happy to have your support!
November 3, 2009 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Schoolside
I did and even though I have children in school I still voted a firm NO my wife did as well.You employer gave us several reasons to vote No.Our votes were not directed toward the teachers and the schools. This levy just fail to do you all any good and still will not address the issues the schools have that was our main reason for voting No our other reason was when they told our children they could not longer attend the school they had been going to and my daughters last yeear and she was crying that also sealed their faith with our NO vote.There hurt my children and nobody does that.
November 3, 2009 at 2:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
I think I also said there was going to be a hugh turn out.And when there is in other areas of town vers the areas that are usually a high turn out that would concern me if I was a SJSB member.
November 3, 2009 at 3 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sense says...
mm - you just can't stand anyone voting yes can you, give it a rest, we have posted enough, allow others to voice their opinions. We all know how you voted and why, I do find it amusing you have been trying to convince everyone of your reasons of voting no, but today it finaly came out - your last line - they hurt my children and no one does that, in other words - vengence is mine!!!!
November 3, 2009 at 3:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
momswisher says...
sense you start it and tell mm to give it a rest??? You should give it a rest.Please.........
November 3, 2009 at 3:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sense says...
you are correct mom - could not help it, mm Ill let you take a shot back without reply - I have tried to be more silent today, I think you would see that not be the case with mm and others
November 3, 2009 at 3:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Fantome says...
11/02/09 @ 8:34pm "I am apple, sense and now I am done." I was hoping that meant you were done posting for good.
November 3, 2009 at 3:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Apple/Sence I wish not get this started again with you.I thought last night when you posted we could put our issues with each other behind us.I still would like to do that.I knew you were apple and you admitted that last night and I did not go and post see I told all of you people so.Now did I?I respect your position and wish you would mine and I will not attack you if you do not attack me.
November 3, 2009 at 3:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
momswisher says...
Thank you. No one is asking for silents, just stop the attacks ...and the criticizing of every post.
November 3, 2009 at 3:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sense says...
fanfome - One can hope -
November 3, 2009 at 3:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
STJoe says...
I voted this morning at Wyatt about seven-thirty. Most everyone voting appeared to be old enough that they would no longer have children in the school system. It would seem in the best interest of the parents with school aged children to get out and vote. Not really sure if the average voter age being older is a good sign or bad for the measure passing, but I voted yes.
November 3, 2009 at 4:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
averagecitizen says...
Oh what punishment will be passed this time if the vote doesn't go through?
November 3, 2009 at 4:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
averagecitizen:
I heard if this levy doesn't pass, the School Board has already indicated they're going to permanently close the restrooms at the district maintenance shop, and at least four janitor closets. There's also a rumor that if it fails, Dr. Smith is going to personally tear down the awning over the district office entrance. I also think we can expect the district to eliminate 5 minutes from all recess periods and I overhead it said that school lunch periods would be shortened by 5 minutes.
Has anyone else heard similar stories??
November 3, 2009 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LabyrinthWalker says...
I voted NO No NO Further more i don't have kids in the school's never have and never will. I feel i should not have to pay a tax to the schools. And as far as Our Children our Future Hmm pretty amazing that most of the kids that graduate from here never come back. So if the levy wins we will be back in 5 yrs doing the same thing with out anyone having a plan a long term plan to keep the schools afloat. And if they are so worried about Our Children Our Future maybe this class that will graduate and every class after that should have to return to St.Joesph after college and serve St.Joseph for 2 yrs. Remember our Future. Oh Yes To Miss Apple.. Its Labyrinth-Walker Not Lady and I am not a She. I'm a He You must of graduated from St.Joseph Schools. If you don't know what a Labyrinth is Google it.. TY for reading my thoughts
November 3, 2009 at 4:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rocketmom says...
Hmm, me thinks the Labyrinth doth protest too much.
November 3, 2009 at 5 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TonyRipesRoma says...
Labyrinth,
Why would our children want to come back when you brilliant thinkers are gracing with such brilliant opinions? Following your logic, I suppose you shouldn't pay for fire and police services if you don't use them either. Hopefully, police and firefighters will return the favor and not help you out when you need them if you subscribe to that view.
I am just glad that this is all over after today......for awhile. You know you are in a small town when the only thing people want to bicker about is sixty three cents. The weather in the Mojave Desert would be more interesting than hearing a bunch of people complain about less than a dollar. And come on, go somewhere else once in awhile.....you might be suprised on how much you aren't giving compared to EVERYWHERE else. Just my opinion, and if it offends too many people and gets removed, frankly I don't care.
November 3, 2009 at 5:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sense says...
sorry labyrinth - I did try to find the meaning of your name but I kept getting lost in a maze of sorts coming to dead ends and such -
November 3, 2009 at 5:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
TonyRipesRoma,
This issue goes deeper then bickering about 63 cent levy for some.
November 3, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TonyRipesRoma says...
mm1967,
That I am quickly learning..........
November 3, 2009 at 5:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mrstjoeguy says...
Has anyone heard when or where they will post the latest total? I don't have local cable...
November 3, 2009 at 5:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LabyrinthWalker says...
This is for Sense.. Labyrinths are unicursal paths generally consisting of three parts: a single winding path leading to the center, the center, and the same winding path leading out. And did you know . Labyrinths should not be confused with mazes consisting of many twists and turns which require making analytical choices to find ones way out. Because labyrinths are unicursal, The way in is the way out. As a right brain task, it requires no choices to be made once you enter the labyrinth. Of course, one has to choose to enter the labyrinth. Because of the right brain activity, walking the labyrinth may enhance intuition, creativity and imagination. So there Sense you learn something new everyday please make a note of this. Brought to you by someone who use to live in the Mojave Desert.
November 3, 2009 at 6:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
mrstjoeguy.... probably you can check the kq2 website.....
stjoechannel.com or stjoelive.com ( which you can click on at the top of this page)
November 3, 2009 at 6:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dillygent1 says...
To the comment about our high school students leaving town... They want a LIVABLE WAGE. That is up to the business community, not the teachers. The sad fact is that so much of what would make a student want to stay here is out of the school district's hands. Their job is to educate, whether the students get a job here or not. After graduation, the schools have done their part. The schools are an easy target to hit. I have done some of that myself. But, the problem of retaining our quality high school graduates rests not with the schools but the businesses, and the conditions they provide and the salaries they pay. As for the administrators, I would now like to see them stand up for their staffs, now. They (the administration) draw the salaries, now they can earn it.
November 3, 2009 at 6:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
LabyrinthWalker,
While I sorta understand your feelings....I think you're missing the point. Educating our children (ours, meaning the kids of our community) should be looked at as an investment. You never know...someday, one of these kids that you're helping to educate COULD be your doctor, your dentist, your banker, your mechanic, your minister, your congressman or senator, or even your president. Your attitude is selfish, self-serving and very, VERY short-sighted. I'm sure there are things you benefit from that the government pays for, that I receive zero benefit for. I guess, to use YOUR logic....I'm not receiving any Social Security, and may NEVER get a dime of it. Yet, I'm paying NOW!!
Don't be so sour on education. Consider this....what education you have, someone else paid for. Ever think about that????
November 3, 2009 at 7:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
im_bob says...
Here is the latest results:
http://www.buchcomovotes.com/EL45.HTM
November 3, 2009 at 7:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sense says...
lab - you don't get out much do you -
November 3, 2009 at 7:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )