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Election Results 04 08 08 - Library & School Board

Wednesday, April 9, 2008, By Laura Schuler, C-T City  Editor

Livingston County's library, a reflection of Chillicothe's past in historic downtown, is now slated for massive renovations this year after voters Tuesday gave a resounding "Yes" to a proposed $3.4 million bond issue to help stabilize the structure for many years to come. The countywide issue needed a 57 percent (four-sevenths) approval rating but ended Election Day far exceeding the minimum with a whopping 71 percent (nearly five-sevenths). In all, Tuesday's election had a 21 percent voter turnout with 1,892 people casting ballots. All but 2 percent going to the polls voted on the library question. The issue received 1,305 "yes" votes and 544 "no" votes.

C-T Photo/Laura Schuler

Built by the federal government at a cost of $135,000 in 1915, the stately tan brick building at the corner of Clay and Locust streets has been in continuous use since its construction. It was first built to house a post office and federal court. In 1913, a local newspaper reported that the structure was anticipated to be one "of beauty and which the people will point to with pride." The federal building continued to serve as a post office until 1966. That year, the library left its home at the corner of Jackson and Washington streets (a building now occupied by Investors National Bank) and relocated to the federal building. About 40 people were at the Livingston County courthouse Tuesday night to watch election returns.

Among those gathered were 15 to 20 supporters of the library issue, including Library Director Robin Westphal. "We are very excited that the community has supported the library through this project, not just with this vote, but have supported the facility for years," Westphal said when the final returns were posted. "I am pleased that the voters felt the board made the correct decision to proceed with renovations." "This shows that the community values the services we provide and the facility we have," Westphal added.

The library issue carried throughout the county, with the lowest margin of approval being 59 percent in Chillicothe and Rich Hill townships. The next smallest margin was in Fairview and Grand River townships where 62 percent of the voters cast "yes" ballots. The measure's biggest support came from Chillicothe's 2nd Ward, with 77 percent of the 297 ballots cast supporting the measure, followed by Chillicothe's 1st Ward with 76 percent of the 338 voters in support of the issue. Chillicothe's 1st Ward also had the largest voter turnout in the county with 26 percent. Eighty-one percent of the 120 absentee ballots cast were in favor of the bond issue. Long Time Planning about five years ago, the Library Board began talking about making significant improvements to the library system. They considered two options to place before voters: renovate the new facility; or, abandon the aging three-story structure and construct a new library elsewhere. After careful consideration of the costs involved in both options, the value of maintaining a historic building, and the library's current location, the board moved forward on a proposal to renovate the existing structure.

"It would be completely unaffordable to build a bricks and mortar building somewhere else," said Bruce Brodmerkle, a Library Campaign Committee member. Also, he speculated that some type of a metal prefabricated building might not stand the same test of time as a bricks and mortar building and that a metal building would have less aesthetic value. Abandoning the historic federal building, which is said to be structurally sound, would leave its future in question. "This building has already lasted nearly 100 years," Brodmerkle said of the old federal building, adding that the improvements voted on by the public will help the structure continue for 100 more years. Brodmerkle was hopeful of the bond issue passing. "If the issue didn't pass, the library would operate as status quo," he said. "The building would not get the needed repairs and the top two floors would be without water. It would not be user friendly. With its passage, we should be able to transform and repair the library and make it a full dimension better," he added. Brodmerkle said the library's services have expanded through the years. "It used to be that libraries were just books," he said. "But, the library has added more things and it is not just books anymore.

Passage of the bond issue gives us an opportunity to provide more for the people." Making Improvements Passage of the bond issue means increased functionality as well as improved energy efficiency and ADA accessibility. Among improvements will be replacing the plumbing, electrical and heating and cooling systems to allow full use of all four floors, creating independent work areas with seating, placing electrical outlets and lighting to maximize use of wireless capability and laptop computers, installing restrooms on all four floors, including a new child-sized toilet and sink in the Children's Library, addressing moisture issues in the basement level Children's Library to improve air quality, and moving the teen area to a larger, more visible area. The bond issue will also allow the facility to have a new HVAC system and replace window air conditioning units and space heaters. The lighting and windows will be replaced with improved energy efficient systems. Safety issues will also be addressed with the placement of new front steps, ice guards on the roof, a stairway between the Children's Library and the second floor to provide an additional means of egress, improved outside lighting and emergency and exit lighting inside. Security cameras will be added to the second floor and staff offices on the third floor will be inaccessible to unauthorized persons.

All of the necessary improvements will be achieved with the goal of preserving the integrity of the historic 1915 building, Westphal said. The exterior facade will not be dramatically changed. Window choices and step repair will be made with continuity in mind and the interior renovations will retain the historic flavor of the building. Recent foyer renovation will serve as a guide for the first floor enhancements, the director said. ADA accessibility also will be enhanced with a redesigned ramp access, an ADA restroom on the first floor, an upgraded elevator system and ADA furnishings. Paying for the Project with Tuesday's voter approval, the library project will be funded by a bond that will be no longer than 20 years and will cost property owners approximately 14 cents per $100 valuation, which means about $26 annually for a $100,000 home, based on projections by the Library Campaign Committee. Case Contracting and Creal Clark and Seifert comprise the team working on this project. The project, Westphal said, will begin in late summer and take about 15 months to complete. A ceremony will be planned once the renovation is ready to begin, she said.

Voters Hand Three R-2 Candidates Clear Victories

Eric Reeter C-T Photo / Laura Schuler	David Williams C-T Photo / Laura Schuler	Michael Leamer C-T Photo / Laura Schuler

Although the voter turnout in Tuesday's election was low (just over 21 percent), the voters who did cast ballots handed three Chillicothe R-2 school board candidates clear victories. Incumbents Eric Reeter and David Williams were both soundly re-elected to the panel, along with newcomer Michael R. Leamer. Reeter, who earned his second three-year term on the board, pocketed the most votes - 1,167 and carried all four of the city's wards as well as Wheeling Township and the combined townships of Chillicothe/Rich Hill and Jackson/Sampsel. Williams won 926 votes and will begin his third consecutive three-year term this spring. He carried the combined voter precincts of Fairview/Grand River and Jackson/Sampsel townships. Leamer, who earned 878 votes, will fill the seat left vacant by John Cook, who resigned from the board earlier this year. The newcomer carried the combined voting precinct of Blue Mound/Monroe Townships. In Cream Ridge Township, Reeter, Williams and Leamer each received one vote. The other candidates vying for spots on the board and their respective vote totals were: Larry Hamrick, 468; Robbie Skipper, 403; Dean Souders, 97; and John C. Pelly, 3. There were three votes for write-in candidates.

Reeter, who is currently serving as R-2 board president, said he felt good about the election results. "I appreciate all of the support that I've gotten. It makes me feel like maybe we (the board) have done something right over the past three years," he said. Reeter said his bid for re-election started on Feb. 1 with the formation of a campaign committee. About a week later, about 60 letters were sent asking for votes and/or monetary donations. Reeter said that his campaign received $1,541 in contributions which were spent on print and Cable TV advertisements starting in mid-March. "I appreciate the support the (R-2) patrons have shown and will do my best not to let them down," Reeter said. Williams said Tuesday night he was pleased with his margin of victory and is happy to have earned another three-year term on the board. "I appreciate those people who supported and voted for me," Williams said. His campaign started at the end of February and consisted of running print ads in the local media and talking with people.

Tuesday's election marked a successful end to Leamer's second consecutive try for a board seat after coming up just shy last year. Comparing the 2008 campaign with last year's unsuccessful bid for the board, Leamer said he did "nothing different" this year. "I'm happy with all the confidence the voters have shown in me and I look forward to serving on the school board," Leamer said. While voter turnout was much lower Tuesday than in the 2007 election, Leamer received exactly 50 more votes. He said his campaign kicked off during the last part of February or the first part of March with the publishing of print ads in the local media and knocking on a few doors within the city limits. Leamer said that he was grateful for the support of his wife and family and the voters of the Chillicothe R-2 School District.

Hamrick, who came up short in his first bid for an R-2 board seat offered his congratulations to Leamer, Reeter and Williams and wished them well. "This school board will have a lot of challenges ahead of them with a lot of issues on their plate (going into a recession), which will make it hard for them to accomplish their goals. I wish them all the best and offer my services - I'd be glad to help out in any way," Hamrick said. He added that voters will likely be seeing his name on the ballot next year and has plans already for running that campaign differently. "I was pretty limited on funds this year. Next time, I will probably form a committee, do some fund-raising and spend a little more time at it," he said. Hamrick's campaign started about three weeks ago with the running of some advertising in the print media and over the radio. He also said that he did distribute some yards signs to supporters. And while coming up short in his bid for a board seat, Hamrick said yesterday's voter turnout left much to be desired. "I am a little disappointed with the amount of people that turned out to vote. I was hoping for a better voter turnout," Hamrick said.

Skipper, who saw his second bid for an R-2 seat come up shy again for the second year running, said Tuesday night that he was disappointed with the election results. "I guess it's just not my time - but the third time's a charm," he said, explaining that he will likely make a third run for a board seat next year. Skipper said he felt like he lost some ground this year as far as the vote count. (Last year, he pocketed 30 more votes). He said that this year's campaign included more advertising in the print media. Dean Souders, who also ran unsuccessfully for a board seat last year, said that he was happy with his showing at the polls, and noted that he had received more votes (34) than he did last year. "I'll probably try again next year - just keep at it," he said. Souders said his campaign consisted of mostly just talking with people. Tuesday night also marked the end of Pelly's second consecutive unsuccessful attempt at earning a board seat. He earned 30 less votes this year than he did in 2007.Attempts to reach Pelly for a comment regarding his campaign proved unsuccessful as of press time today (Wednesday).