Voters asked to support local emergency service providers – 

By Patricia Beech – 

In this November’s general election local voters are being asked to cast ballots in favor of two issues that directly benefit the children of Adams County.
Responding to the alarming rise in recent school shootings, the Adams County/Ohio Valley School District and the Adams County Citizens for Safe Schools (ACCSS) are asking voters to approve an additional five year/2.45 mills School Safety levy.
The levy will provide resources for an armed School Resource Officer (SRO) in each of the district’s seven buildings; funding for counselors to address mental health issues; increase building and playground security to include window safety film and secure fencing around the playgrounds; and communications equipment to allow school administrators to talk directly to law enforcement and safety service responders.
According to the ACCSS, the five-year/ 2.45 mills levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $86 per year, or $7 a month. Money generated from this levy can only be used for school safety and security in the Ohio Valley School District.
Additionally, the Adams County Children Services and Wilson Childrens Home are asking voters to say yes to a five year/0.7 mill renewable levy to support their ongoing work for area children.
Three townships are asking voters to say yes to fire protection levies, including: a five year/2.5 mills levy for Franklin Township; a five year/ one mill levy for Green Township; and a five year/1.75 mills levy for Meigs Township.
Two townships are hoping voters will say yes to funding maintenance for local cemeteries.
Oliver Township is asking voters to support a 0.5 mill/five year Additional Cemetery levy, and Wayne Township is seeking voter support for a five year/0.9 mills Renewal Cemetery levy.
One local village is asking residents to cast ballots supporting local fire and police protection.
The Winchester Community Fire District, Winchester Village, and Winchester Township together are seeking approval of a five year/one mill Additional Fire Protection levy and a five year/ two mills Renewal Fire Protection levy. Winchester villagers will also cast ballots on a five year/ three mills Police Protection Levy.
Two villages are seeking renewed funding to cover current operating costs.
The village of Peebles is seeking a five year/one mill Renewal levy for current expenses, and Seaman residents will decide whether to support the village’s five year/three mills Current Expenses Renewal levy.
Voters hoping to cast early ballots may do so at the Board of Elections in the Government Center on Courthouse Square in West Union.
The remaining early voting hours for the 2018 mid-term election are: Oct. 15-19 from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Oct. 22-26 from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 27 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Oct. 29 – Nov. 2 from 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 3 from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Sunday, Nov 4 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; and Monday Nov. 5 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
All Ohio voters are required to show an acceptable form of identification which includes either a current and valid driver’s license; a state identification card; a military identification; or an original or copy of a current (within the last 12 months) utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document (other than a notice of voter registration mailed by a board of elections) that shows your name and current address.
Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 6. Residents planning to vote on Election Day must also show an acceptable form of ID before casting their ballots at their designated polling places. To find the location of your precinct or polling place, contact the county board of elections or use the voter lookup tool available on the Secretary of States website, www.MyOhioVote.com.
Voters opting to cast Absentee ballots must request a ballot to be mailed to them no later than noon on the Saturday before the election, though BOE workers recommend requesting an absentee ballot as early as possible to have time to receive, vote, and return your ballot. Voters may also download a request form at www.MyOhioVote.com. Absentee ballot application forms are available from the Secretary of State’s office or your county board of elections. The ballot, along with all of the information required on the ID envelope, must be returned to the local board of elections prior to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, or postmarked no later than the day before the election , or delivered in person to the county BOE by the close of polls on Election Day.