Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

9-1-1 Passes Overwhelmingly

When the smoke cleared from the polling areas Tuesday, May 18, there was no doubt as to voters' desires concerning 9-1-1 emergency telephone service.

Overwhelmingly, the people said they want this service to help protect themselves and their families. The final vote count was 541 in favor of 9-1-1, with 82 people casting negative ballots.

This figure translates into 87 percent of those voting desiring 9-1-1 service, with 13 percent not wanting it.

There were three polling places, along with early voting and absentee balloting.

A total of 348 people voted at the Nevada County Courthouse, with the final tally being 305 for and 43 against.

At the Emmet City Hall, 55 voters cast their ballot for the 9-1-1 system, with three saying nay.

Of the 138 voting at the Nevada School, 112 were for the system, with 26 opposing it.

Early voting results saw 59 ballots cast, with 50 in favor of 9-1-1 and nine against.

For absentee voting, a total of 21 ballots were submitted, with one negative vote and 20 supportive ballots.

The election must now be certified as being legal so the two phone companies involved, Southwestern Bell and GTE, can begin collecting money to help buy the equipment for 9-1-1 in Nevada County.

Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown said the Nevada County Quorum Court will have to pass a resolution granting the phone companies authority to begin collecting for the service.

It will take about three years to collect enough money from the phone bills to purchase and install the equipment for 9-1-1 service.

In the meantime, the county will work to map all county roads under the direction of 9-1-1 regulations.