Thursday, November 04, 1999

With 72.2 percent of the voting population putting their ‘x’ next to ‘yes’ on the referendum, it wasn’t really a surprise to hear that four out of four people – plus several others who didn’t want to be named – were pleased that the $1.9 million excess levy referendum passed.

Opinions on the results of the school board election weren’t as consistent. Overall, however, most seem to think the four new board members were a good choice.

Jerry Fell is a retired teacher, who was enjoying coffee at Kenny’s Oak Grill this morning. He was pleased at the passage of the referendum.

"Most wonderful thing in the world. The school needs it; the vote was very positive," he said.

He was also fairly pleased with the candidate elections.

"I thought the voters’ choice was a good one. Of course, there is one candidate that should have been on, but I’m a little prejudiced," he said.

Fell is the father of Susan Fell Johnson, who finished seventh out of the 17 in the race for the school board.

Diane Low was caught at work at Ankeny’s No. 4. She, too, was pleased about the referendum.

"I have grandkids in the system, so I’m glad that it passed," she said.

She was not displeased with the results of the school board election, but perhaps a little surprised.

"It wasn’t really a difficult decision to make. I was surprised that none of the incumbents got on," she said.

Joan Marsolek was hard at work at the Tendermaid. She was pleased the referendum passed.

"I’m happy it passed. I voted yes – but I was surprised that it passed by that much," Marsolek said.

She was particularly pleased by one candidate’s election.

"I was happy that Bev Nordby got on – all in all I’d say I was happy overall," she said.

Ron Mielke is a retired researcher, who was also having coffee at Kenny’s Oak Grill this morning.

He was not surpised at the overwhelming number of yes votes on the referendum.

"I figured it would pass – by a lot – and it did," he said.

He was not particularly excited about the candidate elections.

"I didn’t pay much attention until I heard the results. Maybe it was the number of candidates," Mielke said.