Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

All Happy With Election Results

By JOHN MILLER

Both sides of the annexation issue are finally in agreement.

Each is glad it's finally over.

Jackie Rhodes, who led the fight against the issue, said the people in the proposed area are "tickled to death" with the outcome.

He said the voters listened to what they said and voting the way they did showed they apparently felt the same way about annexation.

Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith said there will be no requests for a recount of the votes and the outcome will not be challenged.

He said the Gurdon City Council did the right thing in bringing the issue before the people and letting them vote on it.

The results were separated by a total of 25 votes. Smith said this was too narrow a margin to call.

"We didn't want it (annexation) forced on us," Rhodes said. "I think the mayor needs to realize the polls and letters weren't meaningless and needed to be considered, not ignored.

"I'm not a politician and am sure thankful the people listened and voted the way they did."

Smith said the council passed an ordinance on the issue earlier this year, setting money aside for annexation research and 911 enhancement.

In July, an ordinance concerning putting annexation on the ballot was placed on its first reading. Three readings, Smith said, are required.

He pointed out there were no special meetings of the council on this issue, which was publicized and received excellent coverage.

The ordinance was read for the second time in August, with several people from the area affected on hand to voice their opinions.

At this time, petitions were presented to the council letting the city's governing body know of the opposition to the matter. "Those people were not here when the ordinance was read the first time," Smith said. "The information they got was not first hand from the meeting, but second hand from the media and word of mouth.

"When they came to the council on the second reading, their minds were made up. The council did not ignore the petitions."

The measure was placed on its third reading in September as required by law. Smith said the city was also under deadline to get the issue on the ballot in a timely manner and make sure the people in the region were notified.

"The fact it lost by 25 votes only reaffirms my belief the council did what was right," he said. "It was too close to call.

"The council did the right thing and let the voters decide. Our job is to uphold the voter's wishes, and we'll follow the law."

Smith said those opposed to the annexation need to know there were a lot of people who felt equally as strongly for the annexation.