Oberlin Votes For Ambulance, Alcohol

At least Ohio went quickly. Though supporters for Vice President Al Gore lamented the loss of Ohio's 22 electoral votes, they could be comforted that there was no struggle. Likewise, the issues on the ballot at the state and local level were decided quickly.

The only state issue on the ballot, pertaining to environmental and related conservation, preservation and revitalization and purposes issues, ended with 57 percent in favor of the measure and 43 percent of Ohioans against.

This issue authorizes the sale of bonds guaranteed by the state of Ohio to pay for the preservation of natural areas, the provision of state and local parks, and for forest, water and other land resource management projects. This amendment stipulates that up to $400 million could be issued in bonds, although no more than $100 million could be issued per year.

At the local level, four of the major issues on the ballot passed without contest. The public library levy passed by a margin of almost three to one. The taxes from the 2 mill levy are for general purpose funding issues.

Perhaps one of the most crucial issue on the ballot was Issue #39, the central Lorain County joint ambulance district levy. The issue passed by a margin of about 1,500 votes, with 3,800 Lorain county voters in favor of the measure. This five-year, three mill levy will raise approximately $600,000 to the central Lorain County joint ambulance district.

James White, the president of the board of trustees for the joint ambulance district said, "We got about 63 percent of the vote, so that's pretty good." White noted that the District did not advertise the issue, but instead held town meetings that featured the trustees of the board explaining the levies.

The College has agreed to donate $25,000 to the Central Ambulance District to go towards a new ambulance. White said, "I think the College supported it for the very same reasons that many people in the surrounding community did. They thought they needed a good and reliable ambulance service."

This decisive victory was especially remarkable for White since there was some sentiment among Lorain county residents that this current plan was neither cost effective nor extremely well-thought out. In a letter to the editor last week, one Wellington resident demanded more professional consultation about the "organization/management of an ambulance operation," even going so far as to state that the Joint Ambulance District's plan has "failed miserably."

White said, " I'm sure there are some people out there with very valid reasons for opposing the district and the levy. We'll never get 100 percent agreement on an issue of this nature."

Two issues that passed with little controversy were Issues 9 and 10, both involving the sale of alcohol in Oberlin. Issue 9, which passed with the support of almost 70 percent of Oberlin residents, granted an expanded liquor license to the IGA supermarket in Oberlin.

The new license, which will take effect in four to six months, will allow IGA to sell wine. Peggy Rucker, a supervisor at IGA, said, "A lot of people wanted it but there was that blue law," referring to the Oberlin law which restricts the sale of alcohol to certain precincts of the city.

Issue 10, which allows the sale of alcohol on Sundays, passed with 362 residents in favor and 176 Oberlin citizens against. Although business will be required to get an additional license before they are allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays, the option presents the opportunity for increased alcohol sales on Saturday nights.

Junior Nate Marsh said, "It'll be a big change for Sunday nights so now I don't have to bribe some guy at Missler's. It increases our late-night capabilities."