22 Votes

18 22 votes. (either I can't do math or the Independent was wrong. I'm pretty sure it was the second one...) That was the narrow margin by which Ivanhoe's $9.9 million bond referendum passed last night. Whew - even in a town the size of Ivanhoe that is extremely close. Having read numerous letters to the editor in favor of it, one would've expected a blow out. Seems that those opposed preferred to remain anonymous...hmm...

An additional $1 million referendum for a second gym didn't pass, but to me this seemed excessive. It must have to whomever decided to put it on a separate referendum, too.

Why, you might ask, do I care about what happens in a small town in which I'll never live and a fancy school building in which no one I'm related to will probably ever attend school? Of course there's the obvious nostalgia of seeing my former school become a better place that will be there for future generations. Let's not forget the positive impact a stable (maybe growing?) school will have on the town.

But I think the most encouraging aspect of this outcome is the support for the referendum shown by people without kids in school and who may not even live in Ivanhoe long enough to reap any benefits of their increased tax burden. That's a shout out to you, Mom and Dad!!

EDIT: I have to give Jack credit as well. This was his first time voting!