"No" was the resounding answer this Election Day at South Portland polls.

Taxes were on the minds of South Portland residents heading to the
polls on Tuesday as they voted against several initiatives that would
have resulted in a hike in their future tax bills.

The city's bond question of whether to support a $56 million renovation
project at South Portland High School was vetoed by a wide margin as
nearly three out of every four voters cast a dissenting vote. Voters
there also did not support repairs at the state level, in relation to a
question requesting funds for capital improvement projects.

By comparison, significant majorities of Cape Elizabeth residents voted for each of the state bonds.

In fact, in this current turbulent economy, South Portland voters voted
down all but two measures. They gave nods to one that would provide an
upgraded radio system for county law enforcement. And, voters in both
Cape Elizabeth and South Portland supported the $35 million
conservation bond issue – knowing that it had to be matched by at least
$21 million in private and public contributions.

The new councilors and school board members who join their respective
groups should keep in mind the values of the voters – the same ones who
elected them to power – when facing budget questions in the future.
 

The need to keep a close eye on where the peoples' tax money goes, and
which projects it supports should be key during their terms.