Columbia County primary ballot questions: A voter guide

Whether filing an absentee ballot earlier this month, casting an early vote at the Board of Elections office this week or heading to the polls next Tuesday, Columbia County voters will be faced with dozens of confusing decisions -- and that's after they've finished choosing among all the candidates.

On Republican and Democratic primary ballots, the parties have compiled non-binding questions to quiz the electorate about their views on issues ranging from education to development to zip codes. Some of them make more sense than others. And in any case, the results are just for fun; while government officials are well-advised to regard the results as a guide from voters, they aren't required to take any action because of them.

Still, the results can lead to change. It was a Republican straw-poll question four years ago that started the ball rolling on Columbia County switching to a countywide elected Commission chairman. A straw poll two years ago will likely lead to the same outcome with the school board chairmanship.

So, what changes will come from this year's crop of straw poll questions? It's hard to say. But we've compiled a guide to each party's questions, a short explanation where needed, and the results on each from an online poll conducted at www.newstimesonline.com. We conclude each question with our view, up or down.

Remember: You can answer the Republican questions only if you choose a GOP ballot, and only voters who take a Democratic ballot can answer the Democrats' straw-poll questions. And if you choose a non-partisan ballot, you miss out on all the fun.

Republican ballot questions

Are you in favor of a United States constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages?

This is a national hot-button issue, coming to a coincidental head this week in Congress. In The News-Times online poll, 88 percent of respondents favored such an amendment; 12 percent said no.

Our opinion: YES

Are you in favor of the Columbia County Board of Education moving forward with implementation of foreign language instruction in elementary grades K-5?

It's all in the wording of the question -- and this question drew heated arguments and ethics questions about Republican Party Chairman Lee Muns, who also is a school board trustee. Other trustees wanted this question worded like one on the Democrats' ballot, but a Republican committee substituted this language instead.

In The News-Times online poll, this question passed 53-47 percent. Worded differently, a separate News-Times online poll shows 61 percent of respondents favoring elementary foreign language. But when the question proposes a tax increase, support turns to opposition. (See the Democratic Party's question on the topic.)

Our opinion: YES

Are you in favor of abolishing the current internal revenue service tax code and replace it with a national sales tax?

The concept of a national sales tax is a central issue among Republicans in Georgia's current U.S. Senate race. In our online poll, 78 percent also approve this message.

Our opinion: YES

Do you feel that controlled private purchase and development of United States Army Corps of Engineers' property around Lake Thurmond should be allowed?

With thousands of lakefront acres sitting untouched, it's reasonable for area residents to wonder why they can't have access to waterfront property. Nearly 65 percent of respondents at newstimesonline.com, however, oppose opening new land to private use. With adequate controls, we don't.

Our opinion: YES

Would you support a change in the Georgia constitution to allow for a discount to be offered for early payment on property taxes?

A reward to responsible stewards of finance, or a sop to the rich? In either regard, 74 percent of newstimesonline pollers like the idea -- even though such discounts would tend to create pressure to raise taxes on everyone else to make up for the shortfall.

Our opinion: NO

Are you satisfied with the current school calendar being used by the Columbia County Board of Education?

Poll respondents at newstimesonline.com like the calendar just the way it is, by 60-40 percent. The calendar was created by a blue-ribbon committee of educators, and then approved after considerable debate by the school board. It seems to work just fine -- and there are just 20 more shopping days until school starts, boys and girls.

Our opinion: YES

In the event that Richmond County does not build a new civic center, would you be in favor of building a civic center in Columbia County funded by a combination of money from special purpose local option sales tax, the issuance of bonds, and/or financial participation by private investors?

We can thank Richmond County's dysfunctional government for scaring everyone on this question, even though Columbia County officials have done a much better job at public-private partnerships. Respondents to our poll opposed this question, 37-63 percent.

Just the thought of sending money to our argumentative neighbors turns voters off. An early plan to put support for Augusta's new civic center project on Columbia County's sales tax referendum was yanked out of fear of losing all support for sales tax projects. Public-private partnerships remain a good idea, however, even if our neighbors can't figure them out.

Our opinion: YES

Would you like to see restriction of zip codes within county lines?

Committee members say they were thinking of 30907, but this has also been an issue between Columbia and McDuffie counties. Our online readers oppose the question, 37-63 percent -- and we agree. This is the wrong forum.

Our opinion: NO

Do you believe there should be term limits for United States congressmen and senators?

A perpetual vote-getter for Republicans, who brag about their man's seniority while calling for term limits on the other guy. Our online readers love the concept by 88-12 percent, but we believe term limits are the ultimate method of telling voters they're not smart enough to decide when their man has been around long enough.

Our opinion: NO

Democratic Party questions:

Are you in favor of an approximate 1.5 mill increase in your ad valorem property tax for the purpose of adding foreign language instruction in the public elementary schools of Columbia County?

This is the school board's original wording of this question, which trustees had hoped would also be asked by Republicans. The GOP considered the tax increase to be "killer" language, and our poll respondents agree: While as many as 61 percent of respondents favor the GOP question on newstimesonline polls, 67 percent oppose the concept when worded this way. A separate News-Times online poll, breaking down the figure to roughly $100 per home, also received 61 percent disapproval. This newspaper has long supported the elementary foreign language program, but it will never be implemented unless parents demand it -- and agree to pay for it.

Our opinion: YES

To lessen the burden on property owners, should development impact fees be imposed on builders and developers?

This newspaper has for years advocated implementation of an impact fee -- perhaps $1,000 per home -- for all new construction in Columbia County. Such a fee would help pay for additional infrastructure to cope with our county's fast growth, while easing some of the burden from long-time residents. It also raises the "entry fee" to the county -- discouraging new residents looking for a pot of gold in our county's schools and government services. Online readers agree, with 91 percent favoring impact fees.

Our opinion: YES

Should seats on the Planning and Zoning Board be filled by general election?

Americans love to vote for their leaders, whether they have a clue about their function or not. While 68 percent of those polled online want to vote for P&Z representatives, the current system keeps board members insulated from developers and residents alike, allowing them to make better decisions. Besides: Elected commissioners still get the last word.

Our opinion: NO

The Georgia Legislature has not given educators a raise within the last two years. Should Columbia County add at least a cost of living raise to the supplement already paid in those years in which there is no increase paid?

It's a nice sentiment, and 68 percent of our online respondents agree. And it is a good idea for Columbia County to reward its educators, even if the state is stingy. But should it be policy? Probably not. Besides: Columbia County already has a $4.2 million budget shortfall thanks to state cuts; where would the money come from?

Our opinion: NO

Should Columbia County institute a residential recycling plan?

With the county's landfill scheduled to close next year, and all garbage to be transferred out of the county, a re-cycling program would help cut down on transfer and dumping fees. (In any event, get ready for your curbside trash fees to jump next year, and for private haulers to blame it on the county.) Our online poll found 71 percent favoring a recycling program, and we agree.

Our opinion: YES

Should the mayors of Harlem and Grovetown be seated, non-voting members of the County Commission?

This seems like a populist issue, but our online respondents shot it down by 67 percent. Expect a different outcome among voters in the cities, with residents of the unincorporated areas rightly wondering why city residents should be entitled to additional representation.

Our opinion: NO

Should public safety services, in particular fire protection, be provided for residents without an increase in the tax millage rate?

This question is a little late to offer guidance; the county has already raised property taxes to pay for fire protection. Still, 53 percent of online respondents agreed -- and so do we, since the rate already has been raised enough.

Our opinion: YES

Are you in favor of changing the Georgia State Constitution to allow for empowering an at-large elected chairman of the Columbia County Board of Education?

Our online respondents say yes by 79 percent; and in a related News-Times online poll, 74 percent of respondents said they want to elect the school board chairman. A question about electing the chairman also appears as a non-binding referendum on the November General Election ballot. But a state constitutional amendment? That's overkill.

Our opinion: NO

Should all appointed members of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, which regulates the standards of certified teaching personnel, have at least a four-year degree?

This Democrat-written question is a clear dig at GOP chairman Muns, the recipient earlier this year of a gubernatorial appointment to the teacher-credentialing PSC. There's no need for the rest of us to participate in the feud.

Our opinion: NO

Should all monies received from confiscated items during drug arrests go into the sheriff's general fund rather than into the sheriff's discretionary account?

Online respondents say yes, 87-13 percent. We say no. Putting confiscated funds into an account controlled by the sheriff allows those funds to be used in programs best judged by the cops who collect them, and help provide incentives for the hard police work that results in those arrests.

Our opinion: NO