ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Voters Face State, Local Issues




Voters in the Archbold Area face two township tax levy renewals plus three statewide issues when they go to the polls, Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Voters in Dover Township are asked to renew a onemill property tax levy for fire, rescue, and ambulance protection. The levy would be assessed for five years.

Voters first approved the levy in 1984. During tax year 2008, payable in 2009, the levy raised approximately $14,590.

Property taxes are assessed against the taxable value of property. However, since taxable property values are not allowed to rise with inflation, the millage that is collected is reduced. The new figure is known as the effective millage.

The effective millage of the Dover Township levy is approximately .468 mills.

In Henry County, Freedom Township voters are being asked to renew a 1.5- mill property tax levy for fire protection, for a period of five years.

Further information on the Freedom Township levy was not available.

There are three proposed amendments to the Ohio Constitution on the Nov. 3 ballot. Information about the ballots issues comes from the League of Women Voters and other research.

Issue 1

Issue 1 would allow state government to sell up to $200 million in bonds to compensate Ohio veterans who served during the first Gulf War, and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Payments range from $50 per month for each month served for service during the time frame, to up to a $5,000 payment to families of soldiers who died, or are missing in action, as a result of action in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or Iraq.

Ohio made similar compensation payments to veterans of World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Issue 2

Issue 2 asks Ohio voters to create a 13-member, bipartisan Livestock Care Standards Board, which would have the authority to establish standards governing the care of livestock and poultry.

The board would answer to the Ohio General Assembly.

Proponents of the measure say the board, made up of Ohioans, would not only establish standards of care for farm animals, but would help insure food is safe.

Opponents argue the move will benefit large, corporate run farms, while not promoting the well being of livestock and poultry.

Proponents say the measure must be passed to stop animal rights activists from outside Ohio from imposing laws that would make raising livestock financially unfeasible, and force Ohioans towards a vegetarian-vegan lifestyle.

Opponents say Issue 2 is a power-grab by the agribusiness lobby, and that a constitutional amendment is not the proper way to deal with the issue.

Issue 3

Issue 3 asks Ohio voters to approve the establishment of four gambling casinos, one each in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo.

Casinos would operate slot machines, and card and table games, with the exception of bingo. They would be required to invest a minimum of $250 million, plus pay a $50 million license fee.

Operators will pay a 33% tax, which would be distributed to counties, cities, public schools, the Ohio casino control commission, and the Ohio state racing commission fund. Also, 2% would fund law enforcement training, and 2% would fund treatment of problem gambling and substance abuse.

Proponents say establishing casinos in Ohio will provide 34,000 new jobs plus tax revenue to counties, cities, and public schools.

Opponents question the job-creation numbers, the impact of casinos on other Ohio businesses, and many other aspects of casino operation.

Four previous attempts to establish casino gambling in Ohio by constitutional amendment have failed.


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