ARLINGTON — The community was all abuzz with voting fever last week.
Middle school students at Haller and Post had the chance to express their political opinions and vote for the presidential candidate of their choice on real voting machines on loan from the Snohomish County Auditor’s office. They voted during their Social Studies classes on Monday, Nov. 3 and Tuesday, Nov. 4. Weston High students in Dewaine Craig’s class also voted Nov. 4.
“Two staff members and a PTSA representative were trained to operate the machines,” said the district’s public information officer, Misti Gilman.
The county auditor’s office loaned the machines for the program since they were not being used after the county changed to all mail-in ballots.
A PTSA volunteer witnessed the vote handling after the final election at Weston on Tuesday. Staff will then forward the vote count to the Auditor’s office which will have a Web site for all schools’ tallies.
At the end of the day, the results reflected the national results for president.
Post Middle School counted 300 votes for Obama and 213 for McCain and Haller 319 for Obama and 184 for McCain.
“The students took voting seriously and seemed really excited about using the electronic voting booths. They were fine with telling me who they vote for and shared their reasons for their votes,” Gilman said.
One McCain voter explained, “I’m pro-life,” and an Obama voter said, “I don’t support the Iraq War.” Justine Bailey voted for Cynthia McKinney. “I went to glassbooth.com and found out that I am a green party,” Bailey said.
At the Arlington Library, it was a festive mood when 10 people were gathered in the foyer to cast their votes at 7 p.m. on election night. “We didn’t get our mail-in ballots in the mail because we moved,” said Steve Rushton. Two student volunteers, Brandon Moore and Maggie Hall, were explaining the process to last minute voters, using a machine that was available at the library.
It was a clear-cut victory for Barack Obama, announced less than a minute after 8 p.m., when the crowd at Mirkwood and Shire Cafe let out cheers of joy.
Results for local positions were not so clear cut, however, only one is close enough to be eligible for a recount.
Chamber elects new board of directors; DABA seeks
candidates
Other elections around town may have even more impact on everyday lives in Arlington. The Arlington-Smokey Point Chamber of Commerce elected a new board of directors with officers included, and the Downtown Arlington Business Association is seeking candidates to run its affairs next year. DABA needs a president, vice president and a secretary, as only one of the current officers will stay on. Julie Tate will remain treasurer for another year. Marilyn Bullock is finishing several years as secretary for the DABA group, Jeanne Watanabe ends her one-year term as president as does vice-president Norma Jean Syrie.
“People need to get involved to help preserve the economic health of downtown Arlington,” said Syrie. Anyone interested in holding an office and furthering the cause of DABA should call Julie Tate at Julie’s Barber & Styling Salon at 360-435-9863.
DABA is finishing a bang-up year with monthly events, some new and some traditional, leaving more than $6,000 in its account, thanks to fundraising events like the October Hunt. The downtown merchants have wrapped up their $20,000 lodging tax grant by installing a bulletin board near City Hall. The grant also paid for advertising events state-wide and a full-color brochure on Arlington events and places to see. The city has released a call for another round of proposals, due Dec. 19. To request a packet, call the finance department at City Hall, 360-403-3421
Chamber board:
Past president — Jim Lonneker
President — Paul Graves
Vice president — Julie Morse
Secretary — Jesica Stickles
Treasurer — Simona DeVries
Directors: Barbara Tolbert, Rick O’Brien, Deb Borgens, Heather Logan, Dennis Haddock, Marv Monty, Norma Jean Syrie, Katie Stevens, Renae James, David Mathieson, Steve Griffith.
