Griffin, Yelm levies edge ahead

Friday's count confirms loss for Rochester district

CHESTER ALLEN, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Saturday, February 9, 2002

OLYMPIA -- Two more counts of ballots remain, but the Griffin School District's $12.9 million bond edged toward a narrow victory during Friday's vote count.

Yelm Community Schools' $9 million levy built a 10-vote cushion over the 60 percent supermajority needed for passage.

But Friday's count spelled the end -- for now -- of the Rochester School District's $3.1 million levy.

Griffin Superintendent Harry Carthum said he was thrilled with the support from voters.

Griffin's bond is five votes over the 60 percent needed for victory.

"We'll wait until after the election is over to celebrate," Carthum said Friday evening. "But I'm feeling a lot better today than I did last night."

Thursday's tally had put the Griffin bond one vote short of passing.

Carthum said the district will select an architect within a few weeks if Friday's results hold up on the last two counts, which are on Wednesday and Friday.

"It's a pretty exciting time," Carthum said.

Yelm levy

The Yelm levy built a 10-vote cushion Friday after vote counts in Thurston and Pierce counties.

Yelm Superintendent Alan Burke said it looked like district voters might pass a school levy on the first try for the first time in five elections.

State law allows districts two levy elections each year.

Yelm voters eventually approved the levy on the second try during each of the previous elections.

"It's been a bit of a long week," Burke said.

District voters in Thurston and Pierce counties are supporting the levy, despite tough economic times and layoffs from The Boeing Co., Burke said.

"Taxes are an issue in this community," Burke said. "We realize that and appreciate the support we've gotten."

Rochester levy

Rochester Superintendent Jim Anderson said the district would run the $3.1 million levy again this year.

Rochester voters often reject the levy on the first try and pass it on the second, Anderson said.

Campaign volunteers will work hard during the next election, he said.

"There won't be any changes," Anderson said. "We already kept the rate flat to make sure it gets passed."

On the Web:

- Thurston County Auditor: Election Results

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