Perry Township loses, Beaverdam, Lima schools pull out wins

LIMA — Perry Township resident John Pitts Jr. doesn’t think the township needs more police presence, so he voted against a property tax levy Tuesday. He wasn’t alone.

Fifty-six percent of voters rejected the three-year, 2 mills request. Officials had pointed to increased burglaries as one reason more of a police presence is needed.

“This is rural,” Pitts said. “You could double the Police Department and you still wouldn’t catch burglars. Most of us aren’t home at that time of the day. … It’s not going to impact it.”

Delphos schools saw a five-year, 1.46 mills levy for operating expenses fail, with almost 52 percent voting no. If it would have passed, the district would have dropped an existing permanent-improvement levy.

“We are a little disappointd with the results, that is for sure,” Superintendent Jeff Price said. “What it means for us is that we are looking at deficit spending for the 2010-11 school year, and that means reductions will have to be looked at.”

Other issues fared better Tuesday, including a Lima schools renewal and the village of Beaverdam approving a 1 percent income tax for upkeep and repairs after four previous defeats.

“There are just too many things that are broken and we don’t have the money to fix them, so needless to say I am jumping for joy,” Mayor Roberta Beemer said.

The Village Council will soon begin prioritizing its needs, Beemer said. The issue passed by just five votes. Some felt it wasn’t the right time to ask for money.

“There are a lot of people hurting out there and to raise the income tax right now would be crazy. They are going to have to think of something else,” Cindy Fruchey said.

Perry Township will likely be back on the ballot again, Police Chief Tom Staup said. And in the meantime, he won’t be able to increase the time officers are on the streets.

“They are not going to get the coverage that they need to have now,” he said. “We will have to rely more on the sheriff’s department.”

Some voters want more police presence and for the department to have the best equipment.

 “If I was in need of help or needed someone to come out to my house, they need to get there, so they need to maintain their stuff,” resident Caroline Taylor said of why she voted yes.

Fort Shawnee residents renewed a five-year, 1 mill levy for police, with 63 percent voting for it.

Lima schools came out a winner Tuesday, as almost 59 percent voted for a five-year 5.34 mills renewal levy. The win says that the community values education, Superintendent Karel Oxley said.

“Even in challenging fiscal times the community stepped up and voted strongly to affirm the hard work of our staff and the educational gains of our students,” she said. “We are deeply appreciative of their vote of support.”

Voters also approved changes to the charter in Lima and Fort Shawnee.

Delphos voters in Allen County rejected a five-year 1.46 mills levy for Delphos schools, but votes in Van Wert County were not available late Tuesday. Almost 53 percent voted against it in Allen County. Nearly 40 percent of voters are in Van Wert County. If it would pass, the district would drop an existing permanent-improvement levy.

Voter turnout in Allen County reached 44.41 percent.