Open Space Referendum Falls

Voters said no to a proposal to allow up to 20 percent of open space tax collections for improvements by a vote of 6,281 to 4,361.

"FOHOS would like to thank residents for taking the time to understand the issues surrounding the open space ballot question, and making a decision that shows how much they value our open space preservation program," a statement by the residents group opposing the referendum said.

The referendum would have allowed up to 20 percent of future open space tax collections to be used for improvements to ope space lands. Opponents said passage would divert funds from open space purchases, while supporters said the referendum would make more open space available for residents' use.

The issue became one of the hottest topics in recent elections, with Democratic challenger Art Skaar publicly opposing the referendum—but the position didn't appear to draw many voters to his side. Republican Frank DelCore won re-election with a larger margin, garnering 6,842 votes to Skaar's 3,969.

"We wanted to let the voters decide what they wanted us to do, and so nothing will change," DelCore said about the vote on the referendum.