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BARNESVILLE -- Voters turned down a proposed new 2-mill, five-year levy for the Memorial Park during Tuesday's primary election, with 143 residents voting against the levy and 120 in favor.
Rich Wells, park director, said he had considered several projects such as turfing the infield of the ballfield, installing new fencing, a new playground and fitness equipment around the trail.
"Obviously I'm disappointed. I still think we have a nice a park as anybody in the valley or southeastern Ohio, and we're going to get up tomorrow and go back to work and do the same things we do. This was just an opportunity for us to go above and beyond what we do," Wells said. "We're still going to give good service and have a nice park and operate like we always do. I'm thankful to the village council and the mayor and the village park board for giving us the opportunity to put it on the levy.
"Actually I'm happy people turned out for and against, because that's what the process is. You put it out there for a vote," he said. "I'm just thankful we have a system where we can put that in place and have a chance to let the people decide what they want to do."
Wells also commended his two employees.
"We've got the best crew of people, and nothing will change tomorrow," he said.
He said he does not anticipate putting the levy back on the ballot in the future.
"I can't speak for what the park board's decision would be on that," he said. "We put it on there and it didn't pass, and right now they've kind of spoken. ... The voters have voted and we're going to run with what we've got."
Wells said Barnesville residents have always been supportive of the park, but this might not have been the best timing for a new levy.
"There's a lot going on. Inflation's terribly high right now. The thought of adding extra bills to your property tax I'm sure was a concern for people, and I completely understand that," he said. "I just think now with the financial crunch it wasn't the right time."