Bond Referendums

From a Gazette Update today:    

By Daniel Jackson
November 6, 2007 – 11:55AM
Voting got off to a busy start at Belmont Central Elementary School with only a few minor mix-ups, said Barbara Parker, the chief judge of that voting precinct.

“It started shortly after the polls opened and it’s been a steady stream ever since,” Parker said. Parker said volunteers at the other two voting precincts in Belmont sounded like they were busy, as well.

A few voters showed up that were not registered to vote at the school, but poll workers helped them find the correct precinct, she said.

“We were able to figure out where they needed to be,” Parker said.

Parker said she doesn’t know what the turnout will be like compared to previous years, but she expects more participation this year because of the school and recreation bonds on the ballot.

As of about 10 a.m., voters trickled in a few at a time. Parker said the precinct had a line early this morning, when people stopped on their way to work. She said she expects things to pick up again at lunch time and after people get off work tonight.

“We’re just crossing our fingers that the rest of the day goes the way this morning did,” Parker said.

Check back at http://www.gastongazette.com for updates on today’s voting.

The Belmont Chamber of Commerce is endorsing both Bond Referendums on the November 6 ballot.

We are agreeing to this endorsement as well.

Vote yes for the $12 million Parks and Recreation Bonds.

Vote yes for the $175 million School Bonds.

School Bonds Information:

school-bonds-critical-to-our-children.pdf

Two websites, Topix.com and GastonPolitics.com have had some interesting discussions about the Belmont City Council elections.

Many of the same commentary that has been found here, just repeated across the different blog sites. These are both in forum style and are in real-time whereas, this site has screened responses (called, moderation) according to the “rules of civility” found on another page here.

To review, the city council election has three incumbents and 5 challenging candidates for 3 slots on council. This is a 4-year position. The new council will be sworn in at the December meeting of the City Council.

How this election impacts the citizens of Belmont:

• Planning & Zoning concerns are on the table with a need for teeth in the regulations and ordinances
• Strategic Growth Planning is crucial to a patterned response to the needs of the existing community, which includes roads, water, utilities, etc.
• Quality of Life issues such as parks, workforce housing, and recreation are focal points
• The other issues that always present themselves, such as jobs, taxes, etc.

The Belmont Banner published a special on-line page, which surprised us here on the Front Porch. The BannerNews website must be in development stages… anyway, we are glad that this page was set up to be viewed by the public. Please review that page as well.

Encourage our neighbors and friends to get out on Tuesday to vote. With the paving project going on along Central Avenue, some people may be discouraged  by the traffic issues in the morning or later in the day. Plan out your Tuesday to take time to vote.

Pictures of the Challenger Candidates:

Pictures of the Incumbents standing for Reelection:

YOUR CHOICE – YOUR FUTURE