Published: October 20, 2009 09:50 pm      

Early voting off to a slow start: ESD4 officials hope for a good turnout

Early voting has begun, but voter turnout numbers are low, according to county officials.

On Monday only about 30 people appeared at voting locations to vote in person, according to Tina Leverett, Orange County Election Administrator. However, 282 voters have returned their ballot by mail.

Ted Williams, vice president of the Emergency Services District No 4, is hoping for support in his district for the adoption of a two percent raise in local sales and use tax. The district covers about 40 square miles in the Mauriceville and Gist area to the Newton County lines. Emergency personnel also backs up area fire departments in Orange County.

According to Williams, his district simply does not have enough money to pay expenses. The district supports two fire departments. They are located in McLewis and Mauriceville. Annually the district receives money from collected taxes in the amount of about $139,167. Each fire department is given $30,000 for expenses such as fuel. In addition, to the 60,000 paid to each, the fire district must also pay for insurance and maintenance on the equipment.

However, the Mauriceville Fire Department is in need of a new fire truck, which does not fit into the equation, Williams said.

Williams said the department is looking to spend about $251,000 which results in payments of $43,000 annually. He added they hope to pay off the debt within 5 years.

“There are many people around here on fixed incomes and a sales tax is the best way to go,” Williams said. “It is just more fair.”

Williams strongly added, property taxes will not be affected by the sales tax increase.

Voters in the May election in Emergency Services District No. 3, approved a 1.5 sales tax increase.

Joe Parkhurst, of the ESD3 board, said he hopes the move will bring in about $6,000 monthly. The district has yet to see a check from the state, but hopes to receive a check in December.

“We had to do something since we lost about 27 percent of the revenue due to the annexation by the city of Orange,” Parkhurst said. “The only other option was to cut back on services which was not acceptable.”

Ben Elliot, of Ben’s Tires in Mauriceville, has been in business for about 30 years. At this time, he is against a sales tax increase, he said.

“People are just getting taxed out,” Elliot said.

More than ever, he said his business is getting an increase in requests for used tires.

“People are losing their jobs and can’t afford new tires anymore,” Elliot said.

Elliot added he has seen a 4 percent tax increase on tires from China where major manufacturers are making the tires. Within the last three weeks he has noticed a $20 increase on the same tires he bought not long ago.

As a result, like most businesses, Elliot was forced to pass the increase on to his customers. Annually Ben’s Tires collects and pays to the state more than $100,000. “We have had to go up because of the increased costs,” he said. “If taxes go up then that’s even more.”

For more information about the 2 percent increase, Williams said he will be available at 409-745-1656 or 409-745-3095.

Only registered voters in the ESD 4 district can vote for the sales tax increase. The only location to vote with the correct ballot is the First Baptist Church Mauriceville located at 11540 Highway 12.

Early voting will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 19-30.

Other voting locations include:

• Orange Public Library, 220 N. Fifth St., Orange;

• Winfree Baptist Church, 19525 Highway 62 South, Orange;

• Raymond Gould Community Center, 385 Claiborne St., Vidor.



Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2609 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.