One taxation measure that did pass in this fall’s election was Bayfield ballot Question 2D. The measure passed by 68 percent to 32 percent, better than 2-to-1. It was the smart thing to do.
With that, Bayfield voters imposed upon themselves a 1 percent increase in the town’s sales tax. They did so at least in part because the measure was modest, limited and specific – everything asking for a tax increase should be.
Question 2D is expected to bring in $295,000 the first year and is limited to 25 years. That is not much money, even for a small town, but it is narrowly targeted. As the ballot language said, the money is “to be used solely for street, traffic and transportation services.”
That is how that is done.
The voters in Bayfield also chose three school board members. New to the board will be Mike Foutz, who also garnered the most votes. Incumbents Carol Blatnick and Janie Hoover were both returned to office.
Durango and Ignacio filled school board seats as well. Stephanie Moran was unopposed in her bid for re-election to the District 9-R school board, while Matt Sheldon won the only contested 9-R seat. Ignacio voters filled three school board seats. Out of a field of seven, they picked Kelly McGraw, Yvonne Conley-Chapman and Doug Little.
Congratulations to those who were selected to serve on the school boards and thanks to all who took part in the election. After any election, the focus is naturally on those who prevailed, but the candidates who do not win are also an integral and important part of the process. Their participation ensures voters have a choice, sharpens the issues and enlivens the discourse. Their communities owe them a debt of thanks as well.
One area in which the voters spoke loudly, clearly and with as close to unanimity as elections get was in allowing local communities more control over Internet access. Voters in Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio and unincorporated La Plata County all faced ballot measures to opt out of the restrictions of Senate Bill 152. All approved them.
That law forbids local entities from providing publicly owned Internet networks or partnering with others to provide such service. Passed in 2005, SB 152 effectively shields big telecommunication companies from government competition. But companies like Charter and Comcast do not need protection from small towns, let alone from county government. More often, the less populous parts of the state need service those firms cannot or will not provide.
Opting out of SB 152 offers a chance that local governments can participate in trying to meet those needs. Exactly how that might happen will need to be worked out, but it is not hard to imagine cooperative efforts between local governments and the private sector to provide or boost Internet service.
That the need for such service is real shows in the numbers. Ignacio voted to opt out by 82 percent; the county overall by 85 percent; Bayfield 86 percent; and Durango by an incredible 90 percent. Statewide, more than 40 communities voted to ditch SB 152’s restrictions.
Clearly, this is an idea whose time has come. Now, we can begin the discussion as to how to proceed with bettering Internet access countywide.
