Ballots Due July 23 for Town’s Off Highway Vehicle Special Election

Ballots for the Tuesday, July 23, special election to determine whether or not Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs) will continue to be allowed on town streets are due back in Town offices July 23, no later than 7 p.m.
According to Town Clerk Jamie Turrentine, who mailed them July 1 and 2, 383 ballots were mailed and will be tallied after close of election.
Judges for the election are Brittany McLaughlin, Karen McClatchie, Bill Kastendieck, Penny Kastendieck, and Becki Casey, and there will be an election judge training session at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon, July 19.
The election was prompted when a petition seeking regulation of OHVs was submitted by Larry Iiams and John Coy to Lake City trustees in January of this year and determined to be sufficient on February 1, 2019.
A “yes” vote will prohibit OHVs on town streets; a “no” vote will allow OHVs access to town streets and sections of Highway 149.
Lake City’s election official is Turrentine, but due to a health emergency, she will not be available to officiate the election. A substitute town clerk from Alamosa has been hired, as of the regular Town meeting Wednesday, July, 17, by the Board of Trustees to come to Lake City next week to assist with the election.
As of Thursday, July 18, Town Manager Caroline Mitchell was unable to provide WORLD with the number of ballots returned, nor the number of absentee ballots requested, as these numbers will not be revealed until the clerk from Alamosa arrives.
Mitchell did report that one poll watcher has applied, Schuyler Denham, and that he has provided appropriate documentation for the task.
During the lead-up to this special election, both those in favor of and those against OHVs in town have registered strong opinions on the matter, and the results of the election will be reported in next week’s SILVER WORLD.