May 13 -- Ridgefield voters today passed the proposed Town and School Budgets for 2000-2001 by wide margins. They also approved five additional budget measures including road improvements and repairs to the schools and other public facilities. First Selectman Rudy Marconi said that he was very pleased that the voters had sent a strong message of support for the direction he and other town officials have set for Ridgefield. [Photo, left: First Selectman Marconi reviews the positive voting results with Democratic school board member Mary Pat Devine.]
2,778 of 15,051 of those eligible voted today, for a turnout of just over 18%. Voters approved the Town budget, which funds town agencies and departments, including police, fire, and public works, by a lopsided 72% to 28% margin. The vote on the $44 million school budget was a little closer, but was still passed by an overwhelming 62% to 38% margin.
Upon certification of the results by the Town Clerk, the Board of Finance convened in Town Hall to receive the results and to set the new mill rate for 2000-2001 at 23.25. [Photo, right: Board of Finance meets in Town Hall. From left - Norman Craig, Board Chair Bernie Dzielinski, observers Anna and David Huntoon, Marty Heiser.]
At East Ridge Middle School as the vote was tabulated, School Board Chair Linda Bunyan reviews results as they are read with Democratic BOE member Bob Opotzner. What controversy there had been on the 2000-2001 budget centered around the $44 million schools budget, and education officials were anxious to see their spending plan ratified by the voters. News-Times reporter Mike McKinney is in the background.
First Selectman Rudy Marconi voted early in the day. here he greets fellow voter Edna-May Olson, outside the Yanity Gym polling place.
In an unprecedented step, election officials at East Ridge Middle School expelled the public from the polling place as the polls closed. Press and public were kept waiting outside for about 15 minutes while election officials met privately. One observer stated that this was the first time such a procedure has been employed in his 40 years of observing Ridgefield elections. Ridgefield Press editor Mack Reid [photo, right] was among those who was ousted from the gym. Here he photographs the closed meeting of election officials through the gym window.
Selectman Joseph Heyman [left] was among Democratic officials who gathered at East Ridge Midle School to observe the vote being tabulted. Here, he chats with Democratic school board member Bob Opotzner about the results.
|
Questions |
For |
Against |
|
1. $24.556 M - Town Budget |
1981 72% |
763 28% |
|
2. $44.406 M - Board of Education Budget |
1704 62% |
1041 38% |
|
3. $0.750 M - Capital & non-recurring expenditures |
1889 71% |
787 29% |
|
4. $1.391 M - Various school improvements |
1999 73% |
734 27% |
|
5. $0.930 M - Town road improvements |
2142 79% |
566 21% |
|
6. $0.602 M - Vehicles & equipment for Public Works, Parks & Rec., Library, Fire, and Golf Course |
1888 70% |
815 30% |
|
7. $2.225 M - New roof for old high school, renovation & improvements of Recycling Center, Yanity Gym, other Town bldgs. |
1921 71% |
803 29% |
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Campaign News
Brought to you by the Ridgefield, Ct.
Democratic Town Committee, Jim Diamond, Chairman
Paid for by The Ridgefield Democratic Town Committee, Edwin C. Pearson, Treasurer
