City, Special Election to be Held Tuesday
Polls across Jasper County will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. next Tuesday, Nov. 8, although voters in Monticello have many more questions on the ballot than those outside the limits of the county seat.
All Jasper County voters—inside and outside city limits—will vote on a one percent special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST).
The tax would fund public works improvements, fire apparatus and equipment, library circulation materials, senior center upgrades, multipurpose recreation and community center building, hospital capital improvements, sheriff patrol vehicles and emergency generator, water supply and treatment, \federally mandated public safety communications equipment to maintain direct communications and roads and bridges.
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The tax would not change the amount of sales tax paid in Jasper County. The current SPLOST expires on March 31, 2012, and the new one would begin April 1, 2012, making a seamless transition for merchants who would not have to re-program cash registers.
All Jasper County voters will also vote on the sale of malt beverages and wine in the county on Sunday. If passed, it would allow convenience stores, grocery stores, and other merchants to sell alcohol on Sunday. Currently, restaurants in the county can sell alcohol on Sunday, but package sales are not allowed.
City of Monticello residents will also vote on the sale of alcohol on Sunday, both package sales and in restaurants.
Probably most importantly for voters in Monticello, is the selection of leaders for the city for the next two or four years.
Bryan Standifer is running unopposed for mayor of Monticello.
The most hotly contested race probably is that of mayor pro tem, which is a three-way race. Sage Edwards, Bobby Jacobs and Mollie Pompey are all vying for the seat left vacant by Russell Gross. Mr. Gross is seeking election, but for the District 2, Post 1 seat, not mayor pro tem. For the council seat, he is opposed by Randy Strozier, a newcomer to city politics.
For Post 2 in District 2, incumbent Katherine Alexander is being challenged by Demetria Phillips.
In District 1, Clinton Currie and Larry Thurman are running for the Post 1 seat vacated by Bryan Standifer. Cornell Williams is unopposed for the Post 2 seat being vacated by Mrs. Pompey to run for mayor pro-tem.
Early voting is possible today and tomorrow, and absentee ballots may also be picked up then. No voting is available Monday, then on Tuesday, everyone may vote in person.
