Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 4, 1993 TAG: 9311040287
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Michael Stowe Staff Writer
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"It was not that big a crowd, but it made me feel better about the whole issue," the library booster said.
He was feeling even better Tuesday when five non-Blacksburg precincts joined the bandwagon and helped push the library bond referendum - which failed in 1990 - over the top.
A new Health and Human Services building - part of the samed bond question that failed three years ago - got even wider support with 14 of 20 precincts backing it.
Both projects were supported by more than 60 percent of the county's voters Tuesday, compared to just 46 percent in 1990. Even the biggest boosters of the two bond questions said they were shocked at the high rate of voter approval.
"You better believe I was surprised," said Jim Moore, a member of the County Board of Supervisors.
In 1990, voters in the seven Blacksburg precincts voted in favor of three bond questions, but the projects failed after being rejected by 69 percent of the remaining voters.
This year, 48 percent of the voters outside Blacksburg supported the library project.
A majority voted yes at North Fork Baptist precinct in Ellett, Church of the Brethren in Christiansburg, Bethel Elementary school in the county near Radford and two county precincts on the outskirts of Blacksburg.
Some of that support is probably due to the fact that the bond issue contains $150,000 to automate the entire regional library system.
Voter turnout in Blacksburg was heavy and more than 82 percent voted yes on the library project. A whopping 1,207 people supported the project at Margaret Beeks school precinct and only 225 voted no.
Moore said the library bond's passage can be attributed to Friends of the Library, a volunteer support group that pushed for its passage. Dozens of folks like Johnson traveled to civic clubs around the county to tell people about the project.
Preliminary architecture and design drawings - which weren't done in 1990 - for both buildings also helped give voters a better understanding of the issues, Moore said.
"We had some material for show and tell," he said.
Supervisor Henry Jablonski voted against putting the bond issue on the ballot when the board voted in August. But he said after seeing the support from across the county he will stand behind the projects.
"You have to respect the voters," he said. "It got a good fair test."
Jablonski said widespread publicity after an August storm soaked dozens of books in the Blacksburg library probably helped that bond issue pass.
It also helped that the bond questions weren't lumped together like 1990, he said.
"The issues were a lot more clear for people to deal with," Jablonski said. Regardless, anxiety levels were high at the Blacksburg branch of the
Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library Tuesday as early returns from outlying precincts weren't all favorable.
"I just want it to be over, I just want to know," said Jo Brown, the library's associate director. She paced the floor.
When Blacksburg results began filtering in around 10 p.m., the celebration began.
"Looking good, looking good," repeated several book backers.
Brown cried as her husband Bud clutched her waist.
For years, library workers and patrons have complained about the Blacksburg library's poor facilities and lack of space. The renovation will expand it from 9,250 to 16,000-square-feet.
The new Health and Human Services building will be located on Pepper Street in Christiansburg. It will house Social Services, the Health Department, and Human Services, which includes the Office on Youth and the Retired Seniors Volunteers program.
Moore said Dan Fleming, a professor emeritus at Virginia Tech, deserves some credit for that project's passage.
Fleming, a member of the Community Services board, took the cause upon himself and pushed for its support. It was at his insistence that both Blacksburg and Christiansburg town governments passed resolutions in support of the building.
by CNB