York-Ogunquit Election News
Decision 2006: state and local questions, races to be decided
Nov. 7
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK and OGUNQUIT - From state, county and gubernatorial races to local zoning questions to a citizen-petitioned initiative to change the way budgeting is handled, area residents have plenty of reasons to head to the polls on Nov. 7 or take out absentee ballots for this year's mid-term election.While many races are uncontested, some key federal and state legislative posts - and the gubernatorial election - will be decided. And, when it comes to issues, both York and Ogunquit will see questions on the ballot related to local zoning and planning as well as the two statewide questions.
The first state question is the citizen initiative commonly known as TABOR or the "Taxpayer Bill of Rights."
The question asks, "Do you want to limit increases in state and local government spending to the rate of inflation plus population growth and to require voter approval for all tax and fee increases?"
Proponents of the TABOR initiative, including York Budget Committee Chairman Windol Weaver, who is seeking his first term in the Maine Legislature at the polls this November, have stated TABOR is a win-win scenario for Maine because it will limit increases in spending and help lower taxes.
Opponents - including the majority of the York Board of Selectmen, the entire York School Committee, legislative candidates Kinley Gregg, Dawn Hill and Brad Moulton and public safety officials from across the state - have urged voters to learn more about TABOR, stating this innocuous-sounding question could mean much more than meets the eye by forcing "negative spending" through cuts to existing budgets and programs because of costs that are not effected by changes in the rate of inflation or population.
TABOR supporters point to a provision that allows a two-thirds majority vote to approve spending above the state-imposed limit that will be enacted by the Maine Legislature if voters approve TABOR. Opponents have countered that the cost of this provision is significant in terms of required mailings and the fees associated with additional elections.
The York Board of Selectmen and School Committee have also cited York's Home Rule Charter, which provides the voters with line-item approval of each budget request, and the York Tax Task Force's spending formula as superior to relegating control of local budgeting to a formula to be devised in Augusta.
Anyone interested in learning more about TABOR and its expected impact on York is invited to a community meeting tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the York Public Library. At that time, York Town Manager Rob Yandow and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Henry Scipione will discuss TABOR and answer questions.
Question 2 on the state ballot is asks voters to amend the state constitution to read that a citizens' initiative or people's veto petition must be submitted to local or state officials by the constitutional deadline in order to be certified and, in the case of a citizens' initiative, must be filed with the Secretary of State within 18 months.
Looking to the local issues, both York and Ogunquit will have decisions to make regarding planning for the future.
Proposed ordinance amendments in York include the controversial contiguous non-conforming lots ordinance that has long plagued the Appeals Board, the historic landmark designation of Trinity Church in York Harbor and the prohibition of "big box" stores in York Harbor.
York's Comprehensive Plan amendments were included on the ballot after a public hearing process before the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen. However, some residents have expressed concern that some of the changes will circumvent the intent of the plan to restrict growth in certain areas of town, limit the rights of property owners or the voice of the people in the way the Comprehensive Plan is reviewed and amended in the future. Town Planner Steve Burns has outlined the changes repeatedly in his monthly reports, and officials have noted that both the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen sought public input on the proposals before they were included on the ballot.
Details on the zoning and Comprehensive Plan changes that would be enacted by the ballot questions are accessible at www.yorkmaine.org.
In Ogunquit, voters also have decisions to make related to the Comprehensive Plan, but will be presented with one question encompassing the 14 proposed changes to bring zoning into compliance with the Comprehensive Plan.
See our Election Section, beginning on page 8, and watch for next week's edition of The Independent for the latest information in preparation for the Nov. 7 election.
