Colfax levy volunteers organize campaign

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | Jan 12, 20120

The Colfax school district levy committee met in the high school library Tuesday to plan its effort to win voters’ approval of a two-year levy package which will go before district voters Feb. 14.

Chairman Bob Lothspeich led the meeting which was attended by volunteers along with Supt. Michael Morgan and Business Manager Reece Jenkin.

The group talked about various opportunities to spread the word and ask voters to support the levy proposal for $1.2 million for 2013 and $1.25 million for 2014.

“We’ve got five weeks until the election and 17 days until the ballots go out,” said Lothspeich. “This vote-by-mail really crowds us.”

The committee has $1,134 in their account to be used on advertising, promotion or other needs.

Lothspeich and the group discussed different strategies.

He said he will write a letter to the editor and asked for others to do the same.

“It’s just three Thursdays we’re dealing with,” he said.

Then he went onto other areas.

“Michael, you don’t know it yet but you’re programmed to speak at Rotary on the 26th,” Lothspeich informed Supt. Morgan.

The chairman then mentioned that he had seen people with sandwich boards promoting levies in Spokane.

“I’m not saying it would work here but we’ve never done anything like that,” he said. Lothspeich is a longtime levy committee chairman.

“Could a game announcer say something?” called out a volunteer.

Supt. Morgan pointed out state law prohibits district officials from campaigning for votes in favor of the levy. The law does allow districts to remind people to vote, but school resources and employees cannot be used to campaign.

Using an information table at basketball games and leaving flyers on vehicles were approved as a campaign technique by committee members.

The group opted for “Vote for Colfax Schools Feb. 14” as the message for the flyers.

Use of commercial readerboards at Rosauers, Columbia Bank and the grain companies was discussed.

Lothspeich noted that Colfax will reap a benefit in that much of Spokane and other area schools are having levies on the same day.

The group then looked over a proposed flyer, which will go out in the mail in two weeks. It was noted that Jan. 19 is the day to finalize and fold the fliers.

The meeting wrapped up with discussion of posting yard signs.

“We’re going to have 60 signs available,” Lothspeich said.