Here it is, one week after the election already. The days and weeks after an election — even one with a paltry average voter turnout of just 15 percent County-wide — are a welcome respite.
In this case, I’ve got to say it again: kudos to the Platte County voters who took the time to cast their vote in the April 2 General Municipal and School Board Election. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times — the local elections are the most important because Boards of Aldermen, School Boards and local questions have a direct — and immediate — impact on local residents.
And, of course, special kudos to all you folks who voted for the renewal of the Platte County three-eighths cent roads sales tax.
As I also said last week, I’ve got some more thoughts on the roads tax and the arguments that some used to try to convince voters that it didn’t need to be renewed. And I’ve also got some more thoughts on the issue of just how the County plans to pay for its recent radios system upgrade.
This week, though, the focus of the election in review will be the precinct breakdown — basically, what areas of the County voted for or against the tax renewal.
The final official total showed the measure passing with 5,557 votes for and 4,172 votes against. that’s a 57-43 percent margin, which is fairly definitive for any ballot issue and even more so for a tax question, which often produces tighter results.
Anyway, the tax renewal passed in 18 of 29 County precincts and also in absentee ballots. Generally speaking, the tax renewal was supported in a big way in the County’s southern precincts and was defeated — sometimes handily — in many northern County precincts.
Lake Waukomis passed the measure with a 77-23 percent margin, Weatherby Lake, 70-30, Platte Woods, 65-45, Parkville, 64-36 and Park Hill North, 64-36.
Northern precincts where the tax renewal was shot down include PlatteCity, 57-43 percent, Camden Point, 54-46, Dearborn, 64-36 and Hoover, 69-31.
A notable northern County exception was Weston, where the tax renewal passed by a 66-34 percent margin. Also notable about Weston was that while the County average voter turnout was 15.44 percent, it was a whopping 40 percent there. To me, that pokes holes in the theory that had the voter turnout been higher, the issue might have failed.
Of course, Weston has seen some significant — and sorely needed — roads improvements funded by the sales revenues, including the Thomas St. Bridge replacement project.
As for the naysayers in Platte City and Hoover and Camden Point, etc., some of those folks had good reasons for voting against the tax renewal and some... well, let’s just say they vote against everything. They probably voted against the parks tax renewal last year that passed and R-3 School District’s levy increase that failed. They must not be paying attention to the improvements and growth in our County.
AND THE WINNER IS
Well, our annual Mad March of Hoops bracket contest ended with Louisville’s scintillating win over Michigan in Monday night’s title game. And one contestant was head and shoulders better than the other 179 — Michael Kincaid, who scored 143 total points and claims the first place prize of $100. He was one of only two contestants to pick the Cardinals and Wolverines in the final. The other was our second-place winner, Matt Chapman, who scored 125 points and won the second place prize of $50.
Nineteen of the record 180 contestants scored better than yours truly and that means they all win a free one-year subscription. Check out the complete final standings on page B4 to see if you’re on the list.
Thanks for reading.
Lee Stubbs is owner/editor of The Citizen. He may be reached by e-mail at editor@plattecountycitizen.com. com or by calling 858-5154. Follow him on Twitter @leejstubbs.