Ranch passes bonds for emergency equipment

Black Butte Ranch residents passed a four-year local option operating levy for their fire district last week.

The levy received 194 yes votes (76 percent), 62 no votes (24 percent).

They also approved a $1 million dollar bond for obtaining four new emergency/fire vehicles. Votes in favor tallied 148 (58 percent), while 106 no votes (42 percent) were cast. The district now will provide a Quint fire engine with 75-foot ladder, an urban interface fire unit, an ambulance and an emergency response/ambulance vehicle.

Farther north, Camp Sherman residents learned of Sheriff Jack Jones's victory over challenger Jim Adkins in the Jefferson County race. Jones received 2,674 votes (54 percent) to Adkins 2,286 (46 percent) in the final tally.

Mike Ahern was elected commissioner with 3,172 votes (64 percent) over challenger Frank Morton's 1,810 votes (36 percent). Janet Brown was reelected commissioner, turning back challengers Lloyd Reeck and Steve Hart. She received 53 percent of votes cast.

Brown supported the jail bond levy to build a new facility in Madras which passed 53-47 percent. However, the $1.9 million dollar yearly operating levy lost by a margin of 58-42 percent. The Jefferson County commissioners must now decide whether to build the new jail facility or not. There is about $430,000 currently allocated for year round jail operations - far short of the $1.9 million requested.

Kathy Marston will take over county clerk duties from the popular Elaine Henderson, who is retiring after 28 years of service. Marston bested challenger Karen Vigil by a margin of 56-44 percent.