Propositions I and II pass in Plattsmouth

Wednesday, Nov 11, 2009 - 05:25:36 pm CST

Patti Jo Peterson
Managing editor

Plattsmouth voters overwhelming approved Propositions I and II in an election, which ended Nov. 10.

Main Street Executive Director Charles Jones shared the unofficial results of the vote at city hall Tuesday afternoon with council members and Committee for Proposition I and II members, shortly after the 1,236 votes were totaled by the Cass County Election Commissioners Office.

Proposition I, which increases Plattsmouth sales tax by 1/2 cent, received 856 votes for and 375 against. Nearly 70 percent of the votes were for its passage with a little over 30 percent against.

A total of 759 ballots were cast in favor of Proposition 2, which extended the 1 percent sales tax increase first approved in 2003. A little over 61 percent of the voters were for extending the tax, while 38.39 percent opposed it.

"I’m pleased to say both propositions passed," Jones said as a preface to sharing the vote counts. "I thank you for what you’ve done."

Committee members supported the passage by talking one-on-one with voters, erecting signs in the community, sending letters of support to voters and conducting six town hall meetings about the propositions.

"I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a better group," Jones said. "This vote was not even close. Our citizens really got it."

Jones credited business owners who were brave enough to post signs of support in their businesses, risking turning their customers away.

"Plattsmouth is on the move," Jones said. "Now we’ve got work to do."

Plattsmouth City Administrator thanked Jones for his tireless efforts in getting information out about the election.

"It’s a real victory for Plattsmouth," he said.

Mayor Paul Lambert indicated the vote would impact the city not only now but 20 years into the future. "This is where is will show Plattsmouth really stepped forward. This will be a milestone in Plattsmouth," the mayor said.

As the Election Day approached, Jones said he feared there were still gaps in understanding the importance of supporting both propositions.

"It will be interesting to look at the precinct votes," Jones said.

Councilwoman Ruth Wassinger thanked the committee for its "superb advertising campaign."

"We as city officials do not take anything for granted," she said. "You didn’t need to use the services of a professional campaign company."

Wassinger said her son, Andrew, who is attending graduate school in Columbus, Ohio, also voted for the propositions. Andrew retains permanent residence in Plattsmouth and is still registered as a voter here.

"This will really be the future for Plattsmouth," Andrew told his mother.

Jones also credited city council members for their forward thinking on the sales tax increases.

"The only problem now is that we’ve got a lot of work to do," Portis said jokingly.

Jones said he was surprised that no solid opposition ever formed against the propositions.

"It was a very curious election in all respects. I’m just surprised at the low turnout," Jones said. "I think I lost 10 signs out of 100 and I think two of them blew away. The signs did work…History was made in Plattsmouth tonight and you’re the ones who made that happen."

Proposition II revenues will be used for economic development, tax abatement and street and sidewalk repairs. Proposition I, the 1/2-cent increase, will be used for sidewalk and street improvements, starting with downtown Plattsmouth.

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Matt Masters
Nov 10, 2009 7:45 PM
I was looking forward to voting in this election, but must have missed the polling hours. I was given the impression it was a 'mail-in' election by the OWH's article yesterday but there weren't any ballots mailed out to our house that I'm aware. How many other people missed seeing the ballots in the mail?
R Vokolek
Nov 10, 2009 8:38 PM
I see we had another "fair" election in good old p-town. No one I spoke to was voting for this amazing out it passed! Just another reason not to shop here. Funny how their celebration was organized last week, no need to wait for the results when you know what they will be!!! When will the voters wake up and get rid of this administration!
Paul
Nov 11, 2009 9:17 AM
Talked to a few people who voted and then threw their ballots away when they found out that it was going to cost them additional postage.

I choose not to shop in town because I can get the items for 25% cheaper in Bellevue. That and the fact I really don't care about antique stores.

Think it is time to move to a town that is not set on screwing the public to support the business owners.
mary
Nov 11, 2009 9:48 AM
oh paul... by all means, do move on. you will be so much happier searching out the perfect town.

the majority has spoken.

it is what it is. done.

every one had an equal chance to vote.

i asked an "anti" (who ranted about the injustice of the upcoming vote) "well, where is YOUR committee?" dead silence. y'all should have had one. apathy (accompanied by complaining) often causes loss.

so don't get your knickers in a knot here. you could have had town meetings and committees too.

as for the out-of-town shoppers... hey, free will. God given. if that's your thing so be it.
Happy
Nov 11, 2009 9:56 AM
Yep, pretty convinced that the three of you should all pack up and move out of Plattsmouth.
Matt: Read the papers, stay in touch, get involved.
RV: Spend money on gas to go pay 7% anyways? You must be a rocket scientist!
Also, to think the results were already known is absurd. People gather to hear results for a win or a loss. If they want to eat cake, let them!
Paul: The ballots could have been dropped off for FREE. But thankfully they didn't figure that out!
Cynthia
Nov 11, 2009 10:11 AM
Well folks, it passed. I don't think it is an increase that anyone person will suffer from financially. And if the promises are not fufilled then all of the naysayers can band together and demand a recall.

There was no real group that fought the passage of this election. Where was a formed group with active participants? You can't complain when the pro-group made a great effort to support this. You all had that same chance to form a group/committee to speak out.

I dislike seeing a community so divided. And it pains me to hear of people deliberately shopping elsewhere. We have such a nice little town. Please, give Plattsmouth a chance. We have some neat shops, nice cafes and so on. Please support the community.

Thanks for the good coverage from the Journal.
To Paul
Nov 11, 2009 12:10 PM
If you need help packing let me know. Your negativity is not needed here. You along with every other voter could have taken the ballot to teh election office, just as I did, and not paid any postage. I am thrilled this passed given the track record of how Plattsmouth votes when it comes to progress. By this passing it ensures essential city services will not be reduced and the city can move in a positive direction. As for you goind to Bellevue to save 25%, you are paying a higher tax rate there as well as using more gas to get there so your are not saving what you think. Given your statement I doubt you voted anyway so you have no room to complain. Finally, the large majority of the business owners on Main Street do not live in Plattsmouth and were not able to vote. Again, I'll bring boxes and tape when your ready to go.
R Vokolek
Nov 11, 2009 4:09 PM
Well I guess there were a few morans who voted for this. I do shop in town, I support No Frills and Don Stuebe's Thriftway and will continue to do so. I want to know where we property owners get to sign up to get our sidewalks and streets fixed now that you have your tax? Oh that's right, sidewalks are the property owners problem - DUH!
Let Portis screw up the flow of traffic on Main Street - good luck to the poor street department guys when they have to plow it after it is beautifed.
"Happy" can take a flying leap!
Matt Masters
Nov 11, 2009 7:53 PM
I looked on the city's website and didn't see a single message about the election being mail-in only. And when we don't get them in the mail it would seem perfectly implied that we must be voting at the polls. Apparently this was an invitation only election.
RK
Nov 11, 2009 9:41 PM
R Vokolet gald to hear someone finally tell the truth.
Senoj
Nov 12, 2009 7:31 AM
Dear Paul - It's clear you are not "Paul Harvey" as you did not give "the rest of the story". I'll bet your great act of Citizenship 101 included telling your "few people" they could hand deliver their ballot to the Election Commissioner's office for free. Just like K-Mart - No Lines - No Waiting. Oh - by the way - there are clearly a lot more things you don't care about than our great antique stores. Duh Paul.
Senoj
Nov 12, 2009 7:40 AM
Matt: "IF" you are registered to vote you were mailed a "BIG" envelope with a ballot and instructions. Fix the problem by visiting the Election Commissioner's office and check your status. Blogging doesn't help. Sorry!
Curious George
Nov 12, 2009 11:38 AM
To the clueless voter: If you know there is a "big, hot election" going on, a normal person would contact the election office and maybe make sure that they are registered properly. Because this was an "All Mail" election a ballot was mailed out to all registered voters. If by some reason you didn't receive a ballot...wouldn't you want to call and see where your ballot is?

With all of the publicity this topic as had: ie, signs ALL OVER Plattsmouth, articles in the Journal and on their website, columns in Letters to the Editor, heck even the Cassgram had some articles; you would think more people knew about this being "All Mail"

To the CAVE voter: Yes, this election was fair. It was much more "fair" than the Plattsmouth fire bond that passed with 12% of the registered voters in Plattsmouth passing it. Why are you "anti" shop here? You would rather drive to another city, pay the same sales tax which supports their city except your own?

To the Gas Guzler: Did you know that it was FREE to drop off your ballot at the election office? WOW! It was Free...not 25% off. Let me guess, you threw your ballot away because you 'drove' to the post office to put postage on it, instead of doing the bargin shoping that you do by 'driving' to the election office to hand deliver your ballot?
*rolls eyes*

To the anti supporter who buys groceries: Did you know that food is nontaxable unless it is premade (like in the deli) really? Well get a clue! Stop complaining cuz you aren't contributing to the tax that you are so against!

I don't know what the big deal is with you people? Seriously if you don't shop here then that is up to you. But why would you rather drive 12 miles +/- to buy something where you are actually paying the same sales tax and supporting their community and not your own?

As someone who has a young child, I would like to see these sidewalks improve. While attending the KKKKK parade this past September we were pushing our stroller on our 'outdated' sidewalks with a pop in the stroller. By the time we go to where we were going to sit there was pop all over everything.

Also if you people were SO against it, why didn't you make your own Anti group? The people supporting this did a very good job at promoting the reason for this increase. Maybe because deep down inside you knew that there was no point that you could make against it?

Who knows? But what is done is done. You can't take it back now. If you tossed your ballots because you couldn't deliver your ballots to the election office (FOR FREE) then that is your own problem. You DON'T have the right to complain, IMO!

But honestly, I would rather support a 1/2 cent sales tax then property taxes going up. Seriously, think about it!
Paul
Nov 12, 2009 12:25 PM
To all,

I did tell people that they could drive downtown and drop their ballots off, most did not think that their vote would matter. This was people who were going to vote yes as well as no.

I voted yes for Prop 1 and no for Prop 2. I suppose that this is a better deal than a property tax increase. Since I don't do most of my shopping in town then it won't matter to me.

I shop where I can get the most for my dollar. As I am sure most of you do. How many of you have cars that you bought in Omaha or Bellevue. All of the vehicles I own were bought from Tinchers.

I have heard that only 27% of the registered voters voted. So I guess that the tax issues don't really affect the ones who did not vote.

Ok. I challenge all of you who wanted this to pass to do all of your Christmas(It is still Christmas to me, sorry if that offends you) shopping in Plattsmouth then and not do any out of town because it is cheaper. I bet you won't.
Residet
Nov 12, 2009 1:24 PM
First, for those of us who work out of town and have to leave before 8:00 and don't return till 5 or later had no "drop off" option and paying(postage) to have your voice heard - sounds like they didn't want everyone to vote. With all the elections this county as had over many years, there must be statistics(if not, this is very sad) that show the city and election office when the majority of voters go to the polls. I bet you would see its after working hours. So, can they tell us why the entire community was not given the same opportunity as those who don't work or work in town? We can't afford to take off work to hand deliver a ballot and to pay for it to be counted is even more ridiculous. All I am saying is there should have been other options for drop off or extend the hours of the election office. Doesn't the US Post office extend its hours on Tax day to accomodate its citizens? Perhaps your voter turnout would have been better if you offered something like this to the citizens of Plattsmouth. I hope(and know it wont) that we look at some of the other city streets - what about the street from eagles to Ave B, Main street on the side of Cass County bank and well I could on and on. Since this is what "the voters wanted" lets see all the details of every thing that is going to happen. Lets publish that in the Journal.
Curious George
Nov 13, 2009 12:16 PM
To Resident: Sounds like you need to contact your state/federal legistature to have them set something up where sending Absentee/Early Voting ballots be FREE. I think there was something down in Lincoln at one time but think it died.

I also believe that extending the Post Office on Tax day is like compairing apples and steaks. They are two different things. There also was a day where the Election Office was open later.

But, it just sounds like people are passing off excuses for what they didn't do as their civil right! So honestly, stop complaining and making excuses for yourself. Take responsibility of your actions or stop complaining!
Curious George
Nov 13, 2009 12:18 PM
To Paul: Tinchers is outside the city limits. This tax only applies to things purchessed within the city limits, unless I'm completely off base here.
Matt Masters
Nov 13, 2009 4:37 PM
The first news of it possibly being an All Mail vote came in the form of an article concerning both Plattsmouth and Yutan in the OWH. I'm disappointed that the city snuck one by in this fashion because I've gone out of my way to vote on every prior election. I am registered properly so this was not a problem. I won't be swindled by the next special election. Live and learn.
Curious George
Nov 14, 2009 7:48 PM
The first news of it being an all mail election was back in September/October. Also if you are such an "advid" Journal reader as you post here all the time you would have seen it many, many times.

Maybe you ought to make sure you really are registered properly. EVERYONE was mailed a ballot for the Election. You are acting like it wasn't done properly. Heck, maybe you missed the HUGE White Envelope that said "Ballot Enclosed, Open Immeditaly"
To Curious George
Nov 16, 2009 11:36 AM
It may be I don't really know. Hill City is in the City limits and the City was looking a few years ago to purchase the golf course, so I assumed it was.

Would still like to see the people who voted yes to hold true to their voting and not shop out of town for the Christmas Season.
Matt Masters
Nov 16, 2009 11:25 PM
Curious George-

Tincher's Auto Mall may be outside city limits but Plattsmouth can impose much of their civil code up to 3 miles outside their corporate limit. For sales tax on vehicles, though, if you live in the city you pay the tax regardless wherein the state you purchase said vehicle. Sales tax over vehicle purchases are covered by state regulations and the money is collected by the county treasurer, then eventually passed on to the city.

I never proclaimed to be an avid reader of the Journal. My wife and I pick up a copy whenever something interesting in on the front page, which lately has been more often than in the recent past. Otherwise I just happened across this website while googling a couple months back. And, yes, there is no issue with my registration hence my original post asking, "How many other people missed seeing the ballots in the mail?"