Gap widens as absentees are counted

The proposed bond that would bring a new pool to Othello in the year 2006 is falling short of the needed 60 percent supermajority, according to the Adams County Elections Web site.

The latest tallies indicate that 1,506 people voted in favor of the bond, good enough for 58.53 percent, while 1,067 people voted against it, good enough for 52.47 percent. This represents a widening of the gap between the yes votes and the supermajority. Immediately after the election was over, that gap was at 0.5 percent. Now it is up to nearly 1.5 percent.

Given that the difference is still small, an automatic recount has been scheduled for Friday, with pool supporters still holding out hope.

"We are not giving up," said Othello Mayor Jeannie Sanders, who said that things might change once all absentees have been counted and the recount has taken place. However, the picture is grim at the moment.

"For now, it has failed," Sanders said.

This is the second time the bond has failed to immediately gather the 60 percent. In 2003, the measure did not even reach the 50 percent mark.

"Each year we get closer," Sanders said. "This shows that every vote counts."

Sanders philosophized as to the reasons for the probable second consecutive failure of the bond. "Maybe we should have gone doorbelling on top of a full-page ad and a mailer."