Scuttlebutt Pipeline

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The proponents of the Spaceport Tax might have had the lead in the count last night; in favor: 8,781 (50.6%), and opposed at: 8,577 (49.4%) but there still remains hope.

That hope comes in the form of 541 provisional ballots which remain uncounted and are expected to be counted by Thursday evening.

Currently those in favor of the tax are in the lead by 204 votes. Once the absentee and provisional ballots are tabulated though the positions may very well be flipped. It is this hope that I cling to.

No matter the outcome though it is without a doubt that this fight is going to be close and that neither side is going to give an inch until all is said and done and the fat lady has sung. Or in this case until the county’s canvassing board announce the official results.

Tensions continue to run high however and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few people exchange heated words with one another over this. It’s going to be fight.

There is one thing that jumped out at me while I was reading these articles, ironically though the opponents of the tax spent only $1,000 in campaigns the proponents spent over $100,000 [source] and still the race is so close. A $100,000 dollars spent on a snow job and only $1,000 to get people to see the truth. That says a lot.

The polls have officially closed, the last vote has been received and the count is being tallied as we speak. The results will be broadcasted on the internet and the television in a mater of time.

Did you get out there an vote? If not then we don’t want to hear your bellyaching if the outcome is not as you desired. After all, you had your chance and you blew it. You really have no one to blame but yourself.

For those that voted and the outcome was not to your liking, well I really don’t have any advice. Either way this was a hot topic and the populace was equally divided on it. No matter the outcome, it’s going to be close.

An online poll on the Las Cruces Sun News homepage asked the viewers whether or not they were in favor of the Spaceport tax. Out of a total of 1606 votes 57.28% (920 votes) were opposed with 42.17% (686 votes) in favor of the tax.

Are you in favor, or opposed to, the spaceport tax?
Total Votes = 1606

In Favor: 686 Votes, or 42.17%
Opposed: 920 Votes, or 57.28%

Is this a reflection of the results we can hope to see this evening, or is it the opposite? Either way this unofficial and non-scientific poll shows just how divided the county is over this issue.

[edited at 10:43pm]

All 109 precinct’s ballots are in and have been tabulated.

Yes, For: 8,781 - 50.6%No, Against: 8,577 - 49.4%

Vote tally current as of: 10:40 p.m.
109 of 109 precincts reporting - 100%

As predicted, the election was a close one, but the outcome was not the one I had anticipated. The Spaceport Tax was not defeated in Dona Ana county and will proceed. Now we have only to see what will happen in Otero and Siera county.

Click for the official election results page.

As everyone knows it is against the law to campaign right outside of a polling place. Proponents of the Spaceport America were hoping that no one would call them on this and proceeded to campaign directly outside of Picacho Middle School, one of many polling sites in the Dona Ana county.

By Diana M. Alba/ Sun-News reporter
Article Launched: 04/03/2007 02:06:08 PM MDTLAS CRUCES — The spaceport tax election experienced a snag this morning, but otherwise is going smoothly, said Doña Ana County spokesman Jess Williams.

The problem occurred because a rocket owned by Starchaser — a company that might use Spaceport America — was parked too close to Picacho Middle School, one of the county’s polling places, Williams said.

The rocket was at the school for students to view, Williams said, and the school’s principal hadn’t realized it might be a violation of the state’s election code, which bans campaigning within a certain distance of a polling place. The rocket was moved farther from the school building, he said.

“That was the only glitch I’ve heard of all day,” he said.

Williams said voting at all polling places started on time this morning.

County residents have until 7 p.m. to cast a ballot about whether to impose a one-quarter of 1 percent sales tax to help construct Spaceport America, near Upham.

If Doña Ana County approves the tax, some $49 in bonds would be generated for the state to build the project. The state already has pitched in $125 million toward the project.

Am I the only one who doesn’t believe that the principle was unaware of this law? How many elections have occurred at that polling site for how many years? Isn’t it very convenient that the principal just “didn’t know” this time?

[article source]

Turnout was “spotty” throughout Doña Ana County this morning, as voters trickled toward the polls to determine the future of Spaceport America. (source)

Today you get a chance to determine whether or not the tax you pay will increase or not. If you don’t get out there to vote ladies and gentlemen then you are missing out on a chance to have your voice heard.

This is a local issue and so the old and tired excuse of but my vote doesn’t really matter does not apply here.

Spaceport turnout spotty so far (11:28 a.m.)
By Jason Gibbs Sun-News reporter
Article Launched: 04/03/2007 11:38:34 AM MDTLAS CRUCES — Turnout was “spotty” throughout Doña Ana County this morning, as voters trickled toward the polls to determine the future of Spaceport America.

County elections supervisor Lynn Ellins reported no major difficulties throughout the county. Residents are casting ballots until 7 p.m. today to approve or deny a one-quarter of one percent tax increase to partially fund the planned spaceport near Upham.

Ellins said all polls opened on time, despite some poll workers not arriving on time.

The tax increase, if approved, would cost the average consumer about $2.50 per month, and would also send money into new education programs in area school districts.

Ellins said voting was “light up north and down south.”

However, voting in some Las Cruces precincts was heavy, as was balloting in the Radium Springs area, Ellins said.

Hatch, Anthony and Sunland Park were all seeing “light” turnout by mid-morning, he said.

Voting continues until 7 p.m. today. For complete coverage, check our Web site at www.lcsun-news.com. For complete election coverage, pick up a copy of Wednesday’s Sun-News.

Ladies and gentlemen the 3rd of April is almost upon us.

What is so significant about this day you ask? If you need to ask then you’re clearly not from Southern New Mexico. That or you’ve been living under a rock. Either way you need to read this post.

On April 3rd, 2007, the fate of Southern New Mexico’s economy will be decided. Should the motion pass muster in Dona Ana county then Siera and Otero county will give it a go as well. Once one portion of the wall crumbles so to will the rest. I implore you, do not all our economy to falter anymore than it already has.

On April 3rd vote NO to the Spaceport Tax. Help keep Southern New Mexico’s economy from faltering further. They promise that more jobs will open up for the people in Southern New Mexico. They fail to inform the public that most of the positions have already been filled by Virgin Galatic and that they have selected workers from out of state. Not to mention the jobs that are “opening up” are highly skilled and a poor farming and ranching area just doesn’t have the skilled workforce that a company seeking to launch commercial sub-orbital flights needs. Oh granted a few fresh from college have a shot at a local job, but they’re not going to hire everyone straight out of college.

Our state tax has continued to rise year after year with no reprieve. What was once 6.0% is now 7.125% yet minimum wage is still sitting at $5.15 and the average employer starts their employees out at minimum wage. Despite this the cost of living continues to increase exponentially. Average rent in the city of Las Cruces, for example, for a single person in a cheap one bedroom apartment is $450 and that does not cover all utilities. Combine that with the average amount spent on gas, food, and utilities and the average person is paying anywhere from $725 to $800 a month on necessities. The majority of Las Cruces citizens are making around $5.15 to $5.25 an hour. Even working forty hour weeks at a full time job the paycheck barely covers or does not cover all of the bills.

Now they want to add on yet another tax to the people of Southern New Mexico. One which we will have to pay to Virgin Galatic for their hokey dream of commercial sub-orbital flights that seems unlikely to succeed. If the motion is not defeated VG has five years to determine whether or not their plan is going to work and during that five years New Mexicans will still be paying the Spaceport Tax. If VG decides NM isn’t to their liking they can pull out at any time during the first five years.

But we’d still be paying for it. The first attempted sub-orbital launch was a bust. What’s to say they’ll succeed and the business will boom?

You do the math. New Mexican’s cannot afford the high cost that this project demands, not with the economy as it stands, future failure or not.

Vote NO on April 3rd, 2007 [TOMORROW]!!!