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MADISON LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Madison voters overwhelmingly say yes to school levy

Photos: Madison special election

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Staff photo by Gary Stelzer/Damon Lacey prepares to votes inside the Madison Intermediate School Tuesday, Feb 2, 2009 in Madison Township, Butler County, Ohio during the special election for a 6.6-mill school levy that will replace a 2002 levy that will expire at year's end.

Computer glitch temporarily delayed results Tuesday night.

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By Marie Rossiter, Staff Writer Updated 6:51 AM Wednesday, February 3, 2010

MADISON TWP. — Madison Local School District voters overwhelmingly approved a five-year continuing levy Tuesday, Feb. 2, by 59 percent to 41 percent.

With all eight precincts reporting and 1,180 ballots counted, 695 people voted for the measure and 485 percent voted against it, according to final, unofficial returns from the Butler County Board of Elections.

“We are excited to see that we have the continued support of the community,” said district spokeswoman A.J. Huff. “We are glad to move on and focus on all the excellent things happening in our district, from academics and sports to our construction. We’re excited about all that’s going on here.”

As absentee and early results showed the levy passing Tuesday night, a problem with the electronic voting system from the Poasttown First Church of God polling place temporarily stalled a final tally for the $1.1 million levy, said Board of Elections Director Betty McGary.

“All districts reported in,” McGary said. “But, we weren’t able to get the votes off these three memory cards.”

Voter turnout overall was almost 22 percent, according to the board of elections. Historically, voter turnout for February special elections tend to be lower, said Tippi Slaughter of the board of elections.

At Madison Intermediate, turnout was “slow to medium,” according to Shirley Cast, presiding judge of the Madison 5 voting precinct.

“It’s not like elections we usually have,” said Cast, who has served as a poll worker since 1981. “I think people didn’t know about the election. There were no signs announcing the election and there hasn’t been a lot of advertising in the newspaper.”

Some of the voters said they came because special elections are not as popular as others.

“I come to every election and the past few have been decided by a small amount of people,” said Gary Webb, a 32-year resident who had three sons graduate from Madison Local Schools. “ When you have millions of voters, one vote may not seem like much. But, when only a small group votes, it seems to mean more.”

Laura Garcia, who had four children attend Madison schools, said she voted to show her support.

“I feel they have done a good job handling their money,” she said. “I want to make sure the schools can keep doing a good job.”

The 6.6-mill renewal levy, which will not raise taxes, costs the owner of a $100,000 home roughly $202 per year, according to the county auditor’s office. The levy was originally passed in 2002.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or mrossiter@coxohio.com.

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To wakeup. The majority always wins. Thats what America is about. They shouldnt have to advertise it to the world. How did the other people know to go vote. Pay Attention!!!!!!!!!
Its not the rest of the worlds job to keep you informed. Turn off Jerry Springer.

Bill
7:39 PM, 2/4/2010

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Lets see...the school won by only 210 votes and thats a major victory ?! Doesn't sound like the community was all for the levy passing.Look at what the poll worker said,no advertisment,no signs,no announcements,most never knew there was an election.So yeah...the community is really supporting.I guess thats how you get something passed,you keep it quite & don't tell anyone.And "declaring an emergency"!

wakeup
9:53 AM, 2/4/2010

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People should know that we are not a socialist. We are capitalist no matter the party. You should go back to school. Look up socialist, google it, read about it. Learn before posting. America is Capitalist, and always will be. If you dont like your country you should move out of it. Alkida does not like Obama or America. Maybe you should join.

madison 91
7:07 PM, 2/3/2010

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Yep, it was that 10% of stupid that voted the socialist in office this time too..I wonder how that is working for them now?

stupid is as stupid does
5:32 PM, 2/3/2010

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I have a job, maybe 10% of the people are stupid. Bush had 8 years and nothing. Wait 8 years and then lets see. It hasnt even been a year yet. Go listen to 700wlw or watch FOX news for some more biased and made up information. Oh, and the Iraq war is still adding up long after Bush is gone. How much will that cost in the end?

madison 91
4:32 PM, 2/3/2010

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