Scene this evening in Council Chambers as community members wait for election results. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Clerk Naomi Maestas announces election results this evening in Council Chambers. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.comThe results were close but in the end Los Alamos voters did not pass the $23 million general bond election question.
The ballot question failed by 486 votes. There were 3,446 ballots for the bond and 3,932 ballots against it. A total of 7,383 ballots were returned to the County Clerk’s Office of the more than 13,000 registered voters.
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Council Chambers was crowded this evening as adults and children awaited the results. The room emptied, mostly in silence, after County Clerk Naomi Maestas made the announcement.
The $23 million general bond, in addition to the $13.5 million in the County’s capital improvement project fund, would have funded five recreational projects, including a splash pad at Pinon Park, multi-generational swimming pool at the aquatic center, recreation center on DP Road, as well as improvements to Los Alamos County Golf Course and the Overlook Park Ball Field.
Several individuals present for this evening’s election results expressed disappointment. Darren Meadows, co-chair of the Los Alamos Futures Recreation Bond Advocacy Group said, “I hope the people who rallied against these (recreation projects) for various reasons but recognized the need for these facilities will be at the next County Council meeting with solutions on how to get these facilities. I’m going to hold them accountable.”
Los Alamos resident Karyl Ann Armbruster commented, “I think we sold out Los Alamos. I can hardly wait to see the organization of A Better Way for LA get these (recreation projects) passed for our children’s future.”
Tony Fox, co-chair of the Los Alamos Futures Recreation Bond Advocacy Group, said, “While I am disappointed with the outcome, I am encouraged by the number of people who came out to vote in this election, both for and against. That’s democracy in action.”
He added he appreciated the opportunity to work with a such a great people in the advocacy group and thanked the County for putting together the bond package and informing the public about the bond question.
In a written statement, Council Chair and Los Alamos Futures Treasurer Susan O’Leary addresses the election results:
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the people who participated in the public hearing process, and who worked to put these recreational opportunities before the voters. This was a clear and important question for the community. Despite the efforts, enthusiasm and energy of the people who supported the recreation bond, a slim majority voted against the projects.
“I congratulate the backers of the bond on an honest, energetic effort to build public understanding and support for the improvements. I also thank the County Council and the County staff for doing a thoughtful and thorough job evaluating these projects and putting this package together. While I’m disappointed in the narrow loss of the full bond package, I respect the process and I accept the outcome. Our challenge now is to move forward with addressing as many of these recreational needs as we can with resources currently available to the County.”
Scene this evening in Council Chambers as community members and many children wait for election results. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Scene this evening in Council Chambers as community members wait for election results. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Scene this evening in Council Chambers, from left, James Robinson, County Council Vice Chair Susan O’Leary and Tim O’Leary wait for election results. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Scene this evening in Council Chambers as community members wait for election results. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Scene this evening in Council Chambers as community members wait for election results. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Scene this evening in Council Chambers as community members wait for election results. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
