Speaking Personally: What’s at stake next Tuesday

Next Tuesday, if recent history is any indication, a pitifully small number of voters will head to the polls. Last April’s voter turnout was only 6.5 percent in Howell County. Municipal elections never get the attention or voter turnout that presidential elections do. I guess I understand why, but I don’t like it. 

 

The offices decided in local elections can have an enormous impact on your daily life. Don’t believe me? Consider this: 

 

This month, the Mountain View-Birch Tree R-III school board voted to combine administration for Mountain View Elementary and Birch Tree elementary with one principal and two assistant principals. This decision has been wildly unpopular with parents. 

 

This month, the Willow Springs R-IV school board voted down a hybrid/4-day school week calendar and accepted the resignations of eleven staff members. Everyone I know has an opinion about those two things. 

Last month, the West Plains City Council denied a rezoning permit that could have added more rental units to the city. The rezoning plan faced vocal opposition. 

 

Next month, the city of Willow Springs is expected to hear the second reading of an ordinance that would increase handicap parking spaces downtown from three to 16 and limit Main Street parking to two hours. These regulations will have a direct and immediate impact on everyone who works, shops, or eats downtown. 

 

At a candidate debate, city of Mountain View alderman candidate Jennifer McAdams floated the idea of a “gas tax,” with the goal of generating more revenue for the city that would be shared with all fuel consumers in Mountain View, both residents and those just passing through. 

 

This is what is at stake on Tuesday. These are the kinds of decisions that could be in the hands of the candidates on the municipal ballot. When our kids, our livelihoods, and our pocketbooks are at stake, we must do better than 6.5 percent.

 

Voters have the power to choose who is best to make decisions like these. Don’t skip this election. Make a plan today to get to the polls. No excuse absentee voting is going on now. 

 

Election day is April 8.