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SITKA, ALASKA

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John Stein, who has served on the Hames Task Force for the last three years, thought his support of the center may have contributed to failed bid for the mayor’s seat.

“The tight economy has pushed people. It probably didn’t help that I was on the losing side of the Hames project, because I thought that was a good deal for the community to keep the lights on.”

Prop 6 asked voters to authorize up to $6-million dollars in general obligation bonds to purchase the center, make repairs, and cover part of the operating expenses for twenty years.

Props 7 and 8 asked voters to raise the property tax in Sitka a half mil to pay for the bonds.

Voter Nels Lawson felt the public was being asked to subsidize a relatively limited interest in the center.

“If the supporters of Hames PE Center want a recreation facility they should pay fair market value like everybody else. As a comparison for myself, I love hunting and fishing, and so using their logic it would make sense that the city should pay for my boat gas – for my recreational activities.”

Proponents of the measure felt that the Hames should be funded like any other public park or recreation area, and that good health was a universal interest.

Jon Martin was among the minority in yesterday’s election.

“Yeah, the Hames Center has been a recurring thing. It’d be nice to get some final resolution with that and hopefully get that funded and keep that place going, because I know it’s a vital part of this community and keeping folks healthy.”

 The city’s lease on the center expires at the end of this month. Municipal administrator Jim Dinley would not comment on the outcome of Tuesday’s election, except to say that it would be up to the new assembly whether or not to continue funding the operation of the building.

KCAW's Ed Ronco contributed to this story.

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