KELSO E-911, FIRE DISTRICT WIN APPROVAL

BENTON -- Ballot measures clearing the way for construction of a new fire station for the New Hamburg, Benton and Commerce Fire Protection District and establishing an Enhanced 911 system for Kelso won voter approval Tuesday.

And in Oran, former Scott County presiding commissioner Louie Hirschowitz was elected mayor, defeating Gil Roslen by a vote of 294 to 179.

The fire district measure, which authorized the district to borrow money to build a new fire station, was approved by a vote of 212 for to 101 against.

Plans call for construction of a two-bay fire station on a two-acre site near the Highway 77 and Interstate 55 interchange at Benton.

The debt incurred in the project would be retired with revenue from the district's existing tax levy.

In Kelso, voters approved the Enhanced 911 measure by a vote of 76 to 14. Kelso will now join the neighboring towns of Scott City and Commerce in the telephone emergency response system. Voters in Scott City and Commerce approved the issue in November. The three communities share a 264 telephone exchange.