South Royalton Gym
Must Be Revoted
By Bruce Jones

It appears that Royalton residents will be asked to vote again on the proposal to authorize a $3.88 million bond for a new school gymnasium, and other enhancements.

Voters approved the bond on Sept. 11. It was the third proposal for a gymnasium at the school; two previous, more expensive, ones were defeated.

Town Clerk Theresa Harrington reported this week that a petition with at least 152 signatures, asking for a revote, was filed with her office.

The petition reads:

"Whereas there has not been a purge of the voter checklist even prior to the 2006 elections and;

"Whereas only 635 voters out of 1944 possible voters (32.7%) voted for the new gymnasium complex for the school, and;

"Whereas 342 votes were for the new gym and 293 were not,

"The undersigned demand a revote that more nearly reflects the voters of Royalton."

Mrs. Harrington needs to complete the verification of signatures. Upon being asked who is behind this petition, she said that it appears to be Mr. Lester Corwin’s last endeavor before his death on Oct. 1, at his home in Royalton, of an apparent heart attack.

If a sufficient number of signatures are verified, the school board will be required to schedule a re-vote within 60 days.