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MetroParks levy a big winner

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By Steve Bennish and Jim Debrosse
Staff Writers Updated 6:48 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2009

DAYTON — Voters asked to support Five Rivers MetroParks for the first time in a decade gave a resounding stamp of approval Tuesday, Nov. 3, to a 10-year replacement levy.

The vote was 71 percent in favor to 29 percent against, with 98 percent of the vote counted in final unofficial results.

Charlie Shoemaker, MetroParks executive director, thanked voters Tuesday night for their “trust and confidence.”

Voters “really value the institutions that work in this community, and that’s true of us and it’s probably true of the libraries as well,” he said.

“Now it’s time to get to work and make sure we respect and deliver on what we said we were going to do, and help move this community forward,” he said.

Passage of Issue 4, the MetroPark’s 10-year replacement levy of 1.8 mills, should generate a maximum of $17.9 million annually for the parks.

The current levy generates $14.8 million to fund 25 facilities and the 315 full-, part-time and seasonal employees who work at them.

Current levy proceeds have taken a hit with declines in property values. In all, there are 15,000 acres to manage.

MetroParks officials said that with the levy’s passage, it will continue to enhance one of the most comprehensive trail systems in the nation that includes 250 miles of regional bike trails — 65 miles in Montgomery County.

A bike hub is now under construction at RiverScape along with a covered outdoor entertainment pavilion.

The Miami County Parks District levy also passed easily, with 4,786 vote for the levy and 2,598 votes against.

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