Waynesville income tax fails; new face on council

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 6:39 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2009

An outspoken critic of village leaders was one of four candidates elected Tuesday, Nov. 3 to Waynesville Village Council, while the community’s income tax levy failed.

Incumbent Sandy Stemple led all candidates for the four open slots on Waynesville Village Council with 26.4 percent or 542 votes; newcomer Gary Pelkey, who once sued the village to receive a video of a meeting and has been critical of the village, came in second with 19.5 percent or 400 votes. Incumbents Jim Martin and Joette Hightower retained their seats with 17.9 percent (378 votes) and 17.7 percent (367 votes) of the vote, respectively. Charles Feicht, a current council member, finished fifth with 17.7 percent or 363 votes, according to unofficial results from the Warren County Board of Elections.

A proposed 1 percent income tax levy village officials say was needed to help make up a $340,000 budget deficit was soundly defeated 68.9 to 31.1 percent, according to unofficial results.

Hightower said the council would rerun the levy at the earliest possible time.

“We’re short on manpower and that was our only answer,” Hightower said. “We will have to fight harder next time.”

City manager Bruce Snell would not give a comment on the failure and what it meant for the village.

In Wayne Twp., Pat Foley and Brad Coffman defeated four opponents to win two open seats on the Board of Trustees with 22.9 and 21.5 percent of the vote, respectively. They will replace Ron Kronenberger II and James Coffman.

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Too many uninfomed comments here. The income tax was poorly marketed, but certainly not a secret. This was a tax proposed by the citizens who work with the state auditor on the fiscal emergency committee. Those of us who work in a municipality with an income tax (most voters I assume) would not pay a single cent increase.

Waynetuckians in power
8:27 AM, 11/5/2009

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I am curious if the employee in waynesville benefits from the padded monthly charges on everyone's water bill or is that reserved for the purpose of buying property and paying a select few's salary? I kept a close tab on my bill for 2 years and the charges exceeded 500.00 in one year.

I used 2 consumptions this month and my water is shut off by the department! No bill matches the correct reading, so they put a new meter in.

I am not the only one pay attention or pay.
My real name.

darla buckland
6:30 AM, 11/5/2009

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I moved to Waynesville to get away from the city, bars and drunk drivers. The thought of a bar in Waynesville sickens me. Thank You Waynesville voters.

Resident
12:21 AM, 11/5/2009

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Serving the taxpayers of Waynesville for the past three years has been a challenging but fulfilling experience. We have had our share of success and we have made mistakes as well. Council and staff will continue to work diligently toward financial stability and we welcome the constructive input of the community. I would like to thank those that have constructively contributed to the cause over the past three years in any way.

Bruce Snell
Village Manager

Bruce Snell
10:13 PM, 11/4/2009

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Do you realize that every vendor that sells to you now has taxable income in waynesville? Every Sauerkraut booth has taxable income...you will pay 1% to a group that put you in the shape you are in...then they will tax your pension your savings..they tell you no not now but they will TAX IT ALL in the future. they want you to believe you will not be impacted...heck yes you will be.

hey employee of the village
6:53 PM, 11/4/2009

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