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Voters nix three bond proposals
By T.J. Aulds
The Daily News
Published November 4, 2009
SANTA FE — Voters Tuesday rejected three bond proposals that would have provided money to build a new police station and public works facility and expanded the city library.
While the proposition for a new police headquarters narrowly failed, voters soundly rejected the library and public works projects. The police station proposition failed by just 24 votes.
Mayor Ralph Stenzel said that while he was disappointed by the outcome, he was resolved to put the issues back before voters soon.
The fact that this was the city’s first bond election, and that it came with a possible 15 cent property tax rate hike contributed to the defeat, he said.
“This was our first rodeo,” he said. “I thought everybody did a good job promoting these bonds, and I am disappointed, but we will try again.”
Stenzel said the school district had to go to voters four times before gaining approval for bonds that led to the construction of a new high school, transportation center and other facilities.
Stenzel said he hoped to put the issues back before voters in May.
Bobby Wright, who chaired a political action committee that pushed for the police station, said he didn’t think that was the way to go.
“I don’t think that is wise politics,” Wright said. “I would encourage the city council to come back with the one that came close to passing.”
Like Stenzel, though, Wright said he hoped voters would have another chance to vote in May.
Wright said he thought the economic climate and the prospect of higher taxes hurt the proposals most.
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Results
Santa Fe Bonds
Prop 1: New police station
FOR — 663
AGAINST — 687
Prop 2: Expand library
FOR — 467
AGAINST — 872
Prop 3: New public works facility
FOR — 437
AGAINST — 895
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