Levies: All passing strong except for one

Jana Mathia, Gazette Reporter | Feb 15, 20180

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cx bond win

Wes Claassen shakes hands with Supt. Jerry Pugh after reading the initial approval of the Colfax school’s bond.

Handshakes, high-fives and broad smiles were passed around by three men at a table in the Whitman County Elections office Tuesday night.

“Wow,” said Wes Claassen, chairman for Citizens for Quality Schools which had taken the lead rallying support for the Colfax $18.9 million school bond levy.

The reactions came after finding the bond had received 72.9 precent approval in the first count of the special election ballots. Colfax’s replacement operations levy garnered slightly more support with 73 percent yeas.

“Thank you for the tremendous support from our community,” Supt. Jerry Pugh said. “We’re thrilled and we’re humbled.”

“This is so cool,” added Claassen.

Bob Lothspeich, who was also part of the bond effort, noted they had been working for 13 months to come to this point. He attributed the high approval to great letters and good information getting out to the community.

Similar responses were likely happening around the county as all other school levies were passing.

Pullman’s second attempt to secure voter approval for $10.5 and $2.4 million bonds was looking good with 66 percent and 75 percent.

The only issue below passing was Rosalia’s proposition for $95,000 for street work and maintenance. After the first count, the town had 56 percent yes and 44 percent no; a 60 percent approval is needed to pass the measure.

This situation is a repeat of last year’s special February election when Rosalia was the only failing levy proposal. Initial returns in 2017 had the request for $69,000 receiving only about 54 precent approval.

The Whitman County Rural Library restoration levy was the closest to a county-wide issue on this month’s ballot. The library requested a restoration of its regular property tax levy to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. In the first count the library had 74 percent approval.

“I’m just feeling really relieved,” said Library Director Kristie Kirkpatrick. The approval was a real compliment to staff and people on the front lines of the library service, she added. She expressed great hope they would retain that approval and was excited to keep providing great library service.

Voter turnout for the county was at 27.37 percent with 6,041 ballots returned of the 22,072 mailed out. Ballots received on election day are not included in the initial count.

Next count will be Friday.

Other schools on the ballot with levies passing at the first count were LaCrosse at 66 percent, Tekoa at 69 percent for both its propositions, Palouse with 77 percent and 74 percent on two propositions, Garfield with 73 percent and 70 percent, Steptoe with 79 percent, Colton with 73 percent, Endicott with 77 percent, Rosalia with 65 percent, St. John with 66 percent and 67 percent and Oakesdale with 65 percent.

The Garfield Park and Recreation District also ran a levy request for operation and maintenance of its pool. That was passing at 70 percent.

For a breakdown of election first count results, see page 4.