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Voters feel strongly about wards, Issue 3

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Staff photo by Gary Stelzer People vote at the Breiel Boulevard First Church of God Tuesday, Nov 3, 2009 in Middletown, Ohio.

By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer Updated 7:05 PM Tuesday, November 3, 2009

As voters headed to the polls today, Nov. 3, many Middletown-area residents said they were voting to keep the city’s ward system, but were divided on whether to allow casinos to be built in Ohio.

Many residents want to keep the wards because they feel people in specific sections of the city need to have fair representation.

“All factions of the city need a voice, and that’s important,” said Jim Sliger, who was voting at the Breiel Boulevard Church of God.

“I voted to keep (the wards). Everybody has to be accounted for,” said Margaret Hasselbach.

Denise Colson, voting at the Middletown Community Center in the city’s 2nd Ward, said “I think that wards are a good thing. We need to get our community back and we need to address the issues in them.”

Frosty Simpson voted to keep the wards because “You should be able to represent the area you’re from on council.”

Charles Herndon, who also voted to keep the wards, said, “So for it seems like it works.”

There was less agreement, however, on whether casinos should be brought into Ohio via Issue 3.

Mike McNeice voted in favor because, simply put, “I’m a gambler,” he said. Thinking along similar lines, Jo Johnston said, “My husband and I visit the casinos three times a year. I’d rather see that money here than in Tennessee or Indiana.”

On the other hand, Sliger voted against casinos, saying “We need jobs, but there’s got to be a better way. Jobs should produce something rather than taking what’s already there.”

Doris Robinson also voted no on casinos, saying “No, I don’t think we need those. There will be too many people left without money.”

Through the morning hours, Butler County Board of Elections director Betty McGary said voting had gone relatively smoothly. The board of elections has roving technicians covering about five to eight precincts in a six-mile radius to alleviate any problems poll workers might have. So far, the day has gone rather problem-free, McGary said.

“It was the usual pains of opening this many polling places in a county-wide election but no problems whatsoever that could not be quickly remedied,” she said.

Glenda Coleman cast her ballot in Middletown at Trinity Place at 7:30 a.m. Although the retiree said she didn’t need to get up so early, she couldn’t wait to do her patriotic duty.

“This is a big election for Middletown with the ward issue,” she said. “I hope everyone takes that to heart.”

However, the 67-year-old said she wouldn’t reveal how she voted because “everyone should make their own decision.”

The ward issue, a charter amendment in Middletown, is among the reasons McGary is expecting a county-wide turnout of 30 percent, up about 2.5 percent from the 2007 off-year election.

In addition to the Middletown charter amendment, McGary also said the state issues should drive up the voter turnout percentage Tuesday. In Hamilton, voters will be electing a new mayor and three new city council members, while Middletown will be electing council members.

In addition, there are 22 changes in polling locations. McGary said the major reasons for the changes are to ensure accessibility for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as some locations being renovated.

If there are any problems at any voting location, McGary said her office has a command center to address issues.

“We have troubleshooters out within five to seven miles of voting locations, and can get be sent immediately if there are problems,” she said.

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