 |
|
|
| Bajeerah Lowe , Staff Writer | 11/05/2003 |
|
|
|
Posted on 11/05/2003 6:32:57 AM PST by calvin sun
Saha referendums bring large turnout
|
COATESVILLE - The issue divided the city, brought out residents from around the county who want to weigh in with their opinion, caused written and oral arguments from both sides and led to numerous lawsuits and in the end city voters sided with the Valley family fighting the city’s condemnation of their land. The much contested three referenda to amend the city charter passed by a close margin Tuesday. With all six precincts reporting, the first two amendments addressing the city’s ability to develop golf recreation outside city limits and engage in city-owned or operated enterprises that would compete with the private business sector passed with about 51 percent approval. The third amendment which addresses the city’s ability to acquire or lease land outside the city limits passed with 53 percent approval. Meanwhile in the sometimes heated races for the three open city council seats, political newcomer Marty Eggleston unseated city council President Stephon Hines in the 5th Ward with 150 votes. Hines ran a write-in campaign. Ninety-three write-in votes were cast. It is unknown how many were for Hines. Third Ward Councilwoman Winifred Mayo lost her bid for re-election to Stephanie Smith with 104 votes to Smith’s 140. And in the 1st Ward Ed Simpson beat out incumbent Kevin Rolston with 245 votes. Like Hines, Rolston was running a write-in campaign. There were 78 write-in votes recorded. It is unknown how many were cast for Rolston. All returns are unofficial until certified by the county’s Board of Elections. Those who watched the races closely all day said the heated issues brought the people out. One poll watcher said the three referenda questions brought the largest turnout in the city’s East End he has seen since the 1968 presidential election. "Voters want a say. That is evident by the turnout," said Arthur Chambers, a poll watcher for Chester County Commissioner Andrew Dinniman. Chambers was working the city’s 5th Ward poll Tuesday afternoon. The three questions were petitioned by supporters of the Saha family in an effort to stop the city’s condemnation of the family’s 42 acres in neighboring Valley Township. Supporters have said voter support of the questions will finally stop the four-and-a-half-year fight by Dick and Nancy Saha to save their farm. But city council members and city staff have said approval of the amendments will bring to a screeching halt the city’s redevelopment. "I don’t think people realize the implications," said Hines. Hines was busy working the 5th Ward poll Tuesday. Eggleston, meanwhile manned the polls with family and friends including Dick Saha and his son Ricky. Wearing a "Vote Yes" T-shirt, Eggleston said voters had been turning up all day long asking questions about the referenda. Eggleston said a late effort by city employees and residents supporting a "Vote No" campaign caused a lot of confusion among voters. "I think that was intentional," he said. "When people are confused they tend to say ‘no’ to be safe." In the city’s West End, the First Ward was buzzing as Simpson asked voters to not only vote for him but vote "yes" on the referenda. Meanwhile Rolston handed out stickers to voters asking for their support for his reelection as well as a vote "no" on the questions. Early in the afternoon Simpson hesitated to guess on his ability to win and the outcome of the referenda. But longtime Saha supporter and city resident Pat Sellers predicted both Simpson’s win and passage of the referenda from the start. But he added that the margin would likely not be as good as he hoped. "The city has put out a real blitz of propaganda," he said. Letters from city staff and two private developers who have pledged to build in the city were sent to residents in the last couple of weeks asking for them to "Vote No." "Vote No" signs appeared on lawns across the city and decorated the city’s vehicles over the weekend. However the signs on the vehicles were removed for Tuesday’s election. Even Rolston conceded thatin the west end the city’s efforts to get out the "no" vote were not successful. "I think we’re going to lose the referenda in the West End. I just hope the rest of the city will make up for it," he said. As far as turnout, Rolston said the numbers he had seen were higher than normal. "I would say I’ve seen about 200 this morning and afternoon. That’s only about 20 percent but in previous elections that’s all we’ve gotten," he said. |
A few weeks ago, a group of Saha supporters succeeded in placing three proposed amendments to the city charter. These amendments would restrict the city's action with respect to the Saha property. ALL THREE amendments passed.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.
For real time political chat - Radio Free Republic chat room
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.