Thursday 28th March 2024

The voters of Marshalltown said yes on Tuesday to the idea of funding a 17 point five million dollar project that would build a new joint police and fire station building for the city. The vote margin was 2,273 yes and 1,215 no, a ratio of 65% yes and 35% no. This was a simple yes/no vote that took a 60% plus one margin in order to pass. There were some smiling faces in the city as a result. Police Chief Michael Tupper said he was very pleased and happy for his staff, Mayor Jim Lowrance said the work of a citizens committee to make sure the effort to inform the public was essential to the positive outcome of the vote, he says the transparency of that process was vital. City Administrator Randy Wetmore also said the citizens committee chaired by local attorney Paul Peglow did good work in getting the needed facts in front of the public so they could make a decision. The location of the joint police and fire station will be at the far western end of West Anson Street as it turns into South Second Street, to the west of the Fisher Community Center and the Martha Ellen Tye Playhouse and south of Linn Creek. Now that the special referendum has passed the project can proceed full speed ahead. City officials say it has to be a morale booster for members of the police and fire departments. A total of 3,488 ballots were cast in the four precinct special election, some 21.53% of the total present registered electorate in Marshall County of 16, 211. The polling places in Marshalltown included the Iowa Veterans Home, the Fisher Community Center, the Marshalltown Public Library and First Baptist Church.

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