Editor’s note: The Times-Call is counting down the top 10 news stories of the year, as selected by the newspaper’s editors. Longmont voters overwhelmingly rejected three ballot issues that would have funded an arts and entertainment center, a new branch library and recreational facilities during the November 7 election. None of the ballot issues received more than 35% of the total votes cast. While the City Council endorsed all three ballot issues, the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce opposed them, believing that now, especially, was not the right time to raise taxes. Ballot Issue 3D, which would have authorized tax hikes to pay for an estimated $80 million arts and entertainment center, failed after receiving just 33% of the total votes cast. The Longmont Alliance for Arts and Entertainment proposed raising $35 million to put toward the center’s construction, leaving the taxpayers with the remaining $45 million bill. Nowhere in Ballot Issue 3D was a site for the arts and entertainment center specified. However, proponents of the facility made clear that they wanted to see it built in the shed at the old, abandoned sugar factory. The Longmont City Council urged residents to vote yes on all three ballot issues, including 3C to pay for a new $25.7 million branch library. A feasibility study pointed out how the existing 51,000-square-foot Longmont Public Library was intended to accommodate a population of up to 68,000 residents. Today, roughly 100,000 people live in Longmont. Residents, though, rejected Ballot Issue 3C with 21,790 voting against a new branch library and 11,476 voting for one. In addition to funding a new $72 million recreational facility at Dry Creek Community Park, Ballot Issue 3E would have allowed the city to give $12 million and Centennial Pool to the YMCA in exchange for the YMCA’s existing property at 950 Lashley St. More than 22,700 residents voted against Ballot Issue 3E whereas less than 10,500 voted for it. Top 10 No. 10: A dangerous year on the roads No. 9: Longmont doused with rain as city experiences wettest year since 1923 No. 8: Two convicted in Longmont postal murder case No. 7: Proposition HH fails; property valuations rise No. 6: Former state Rep. Tracey Bernett resigns No. 5: Dysfunction in Dacono No. 4: Costco opens in Longmont No. 3: Longmont’s growth excites some, worries others No. 2: Bohn Farm, Kanemoto Estates developments cause community contention
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