bond election

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Citizens of Granite Shoals said “yes” Tuesday, Nov. 8, to a $3 million bond issue for major roadway refurbishment but defeated a No Deer Feed Ordinance by a scant seven votes.

The vote of 1,170 citizens was 66.92 percent in favor of the road bond—783, “yes” to 387, “no.”

It is the strong possibility of qualifying for a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant in a 45-55 match, boosting the project from a single road to all three north-south arteries in a $6.8 million project.

“I will be meeting with the USDA next week to develop a road map to move forward,” said City Manager Ken Nickel on Wednesday.

Curiously, 11 of the road bond voters took no stand on a deer feeding ban, a question that failed with 583 voting, “no,” to the ordinance and 576, “yes” votes. Although the council had approved the ordinance, a petition to go to the ballot intervened its implementation and it will not go into effect.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

When early voting begins Monday, Oct. 24, citizens of Granite Shoals will have two local issues on their ballots—issuance of $3 million in funds for major road reconstruction and whether or not to let a “No Deer Feeding” ordinance stand.

Both topics have been the subject of city surveys, forums and long council debate and strong opinions have been voiced on both along the way.

Road bond

The proposal of bond money for improvements to Phillips Ranch Road, Prairie Creek Road and Valley View Lane was based more that endless complaints about potholes and long years of experience in blacktop and patch deteriorating without solid base work.