Get ready to participate in choices that will effect you and the community

Local voters will have hefty decisions to make in the March 3 election. Sample ballots will start going out in the mail Jan. 23, according to the county Elections Office. Put on your thinking caps.

Voters in the Mendocino Coast Health Care District will cast yes or no votes on Measure C, which reads: “With no additional taxes to the taxpayers and to assure continuing emergency medical services, acute hospital inpatient services and outpatient services, with substantial investments by non-profit Stone Point Health to meet the needs of Mendocino Coast residents, shall the Mendocino Coast Health Care District enter into a lease agreement of Mendocino Coast District Hospital for up to thirty (30) years at fair market value to Stone Point Health, per terms approved by Resolution 2019-17 adopted November 22, 2019?” A majority of the voters voting on Measure C must vote “yes” for it to pass.

Fourth District voters will select between incumbent Supervisor Dan Gjerde and current Fort Bragg City Council member Lindy Peters.

It will take 55 percent of those voting on Fort Bragg School District’s Measure B for it to pass. The measure reads: “To improve the quality of local schools; repair or replace leaky roofs; update inadequate electrical systems; make health and safety improvement and modernize; renovate and construct classrooms, restrooms and school facilities; shall Fort Bragg Unified School District’s Measure be adopted authorizing $35,000,000 in bonds at legal interest rates, generating approximately $2,000,000 annually while bonds are outstanding with levies of approximately 6 cents per $100 assessed value, with annual audits, citizens oversight and no money for salaries/operations?”

Mendocino School District also has a bond measure on the ballot, which must pass by 55 percent of the voters voting on it. Measure H reads: “To improve the quality of Mendocino High; repair/replace leaky roofs and deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems; and modernize/construct classrooms, restrooms and school facilities; shall Mendocino Unified School District’s measure be adopted authorizing $31,000,000 of bonds at legal interest rates, generating on average $1,700,000 annually while bonds are outstanding with levies of approximately 6 cents per $100 assessed value, with annual audits, citizens’ oversight, no money for salaries and all money for local schools?”

Two measures will impact residents of the county’s unincorporated areas. Measure D reads: “Shall Mendocino County Code Chapter 5.20 be amended to authorize collection of a transient occupancy tax on short-term visitor accommodations of 30 days or less in private campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks, estimated to raise $1,000,000 annually? The transient occupancy tax has a rate of ten percent (10%) and is effective until repealed?”

Measure E reads; “Advisory vote only. If Mendocino county amends Chapter 5.20 to extend the transient occupancy tax to private campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks, should the additional funds from the extended tax be used to fund the recognized fire agencies in Mendocino County as follows: 75% distributed evenly to the recognized fire agencies in Mendocino County; and 25% spent based on the recommendation of the fire chiefs of the recognized fire agencies in Mendocino County?”

Again, a majority of the voters voting on each measure is required for them to pass.

The results of the March 3 election will touch all of our lives and wallets. As voter turnout tends to be low for primary elections, the concern is that these very important, long-lasting decisions might be made by a minority of eligible voters. Please don’t let that happen.

The last day to register to vote is Feb. 18. You can register to vote at the County Clerk’s Office in Ukiah, in any Department of Motor Vehicles Office, in many city halls and libraries, and online at registertovote.ca.gov. You can also call the registrar’s office and ask for a voter registration form to be mailed to you.

If you miss the deadline, you will be able to update your registration or register to vote a ballot that is available at a polling place within Mendocino County or at the Elections Office at 501 Low Gap Rd, Ukiah.

For more information, contact the Election / County Clerk’s Office at 707-234-6819.