May 16 - 11:30 p.m. -- Based on official results, Ridgefielders today approved the Town and school budgets for 1998-1989. With final returns from all three districts and absentee ballots, the $61 million measures containing the main appropriations for the next fiscal year were approved by 58% of the voters. (Photo, right: Democratic Town Committee member and schools activist Paula Bruns signals her optimism after voting at the Yanity Gym)
Of 9 smaller appropriation measures, 7 also passed, including the closely-watched measure to refurbish the old high school auditorium for a Performing Arts Center, which passed with a 54% majority. The measure which received the largest "yes" vote was Question 4, to appropriate $850,000 for badly-needed work on Town roads, and bridge and drainage improvments. Fully two-thirds of voters said "yes" to these expenditures.
One item failed to win approval - Question 10, $203,700 for miscellaneous repairs to Parks & Rec. facilities. The golf course expansion (Question 6) failed by a razor-thin margins - 13 votes separated the "yeas" from the "nays," and an automatic recount provision was triggered.
On a beautiful sunny day, with temperatures in the mid-80's, 3,400 Ridgefielders turned out to give the nod to most budget items proposed by Town Officials. (Photo, right: Democratic Board of Finance Chairman Bernie Dzielinski exits the Yanity Gym after casting his ballot. We can only presume that he voted "yes" for the Board of Finance-approved budget.)
School supporters were pleased that the Board of Education budget passed by a comfortable 58% margin, and also that several key appropriations for school equipment and maintenance were okayed by voters. (Photo, left: DTC member Mary Miller and Democratic school board member Bob Opotzner man phones and computers as Ridgefielders for Excellence in Academic Development - R.E.A.D. - turns out the vote to support school budget items)
As the results were announced, Bob Opotzner said, "I am very pleased with the passage of the BOE budget. I believe that the budget passed overwhelmingly for two reasons: (1). The BOE scrutinized every expenditure and had its requests - especially for the new programs such as the
writing program and the technology position - well documented; (2). In less
than one year, the BOE has regained credibility with and the respect of the
community."
Ridgefield Democrats were prominent in working to develop the town and school budgets, and to turn out the vote to pass key appropriations. Democratic Selectman Barbara Manners was especially pleased that the voters approved refurbishment of the old high school auditorium. With the addition of significant private funding, the old auditorium will be developed into a Performing Arts Center for the town, fulfilling a long-held ambition of Barbara and many other Ridgefielders.(Left, sign urges support for the future Arts Center, a project long shepherded and nurtured by Democratic Selectman Barbara Manners.)
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