Bollinger County voters approve one tax, defeat another

Eight percent of Bollinger County registered voters went to the polls Tuesday and voted to pass a "use" tax on out-of-state purchases and voted against the tax that would have built a $5 million library archive and extension center complex.

The use tax passed 630-412. The library issue was defeated 811-240.

Marble Hill voters elected Kenneth Trentham as alderman in Ward 1, and wrote in 18 names for Ward 2; Junior Long was the only name submitted that received two votes.

Other communities elected city representatives and school board members.

From the beginning the use tax vote took off with yes votes exceeding the no votes by about 3:1. Presiding Commissioner Travis Elfrink said passage of the measure is a victory not only for the county, which will begin to recoup money lost from out-of-state purchases since 2012, but also will benefit local businesses.

"We appreciate the support on the occasion, but the businesses, I am sure, appreciate the support also," Elfrink said.

All three county commissioners worked hard to educate voters on how the use tax works, and why the county needed it to succeed.

"People who understood what the use tax was all about voted for it," said Associate Commissioner Steve Jordan.

Supporters of the library tax also visited with civic groups, school boards and other groups about the need for the new building, but were not as successful. Library director Eva Dunn, obviously disappointed, said that perhaps the issue would have received more yes votes had Woodland School District had an election; the measure might have picked up more support from those voters.

"We are going to have to work harder," Dunn said. "I'm very disappointed. I think a lot of people don't realize what an asset the library is, the extension center is, and the archives as well."

On other election results, Trentham said he "is ready to get started and see what needs to be done." He defeated Clint Lacy for Ward 1 alderman, 35-17.

No one ran in Ward 2. When contacted, Long seemed flabbergasted that he'd been elected by write-in vote.

He is not obligated to accept the position and as of Tuesday night, he wasn't sure if he would.

All of Zalma's village board was decided by write-in ballot. Five open positions were filled by Brad Barrett and Richard Dinkins, each with six votes; Dan McCall and Lee Little, each with five votes; and Dola Harris with four. Truman Lemons and Jack Hale each received two votes.

Sheila Bess with 234 votes, and Brian Brugger with 130 votes topped a five-person field vying for seats on Meadow Heights School Boards.

Curt Wiseman and Mike Hovis, with 94 and 75 votes respectively, were the top two vote-getters for Zalma School Board seats.