Morals played key role for some Payette County voters
Wednesday, November 8, 2006 10:42 AM PST
Julie Engel | Argus Observer
Fruitland
The issues varied, but for many Payette County voters streaming through Fruitland City Hall Tuesday to cast their ballots, morals and values played a key role in their decision.
Scott and Deanna Rhinehart, Fruitland, for example, voted for candidates that were in line with their values, such as family, education and the institution of marriage.
The couple moved from Seattle to Idaho in August, and Deanna Rhinehart said they studied nonpartisan voter guides to ensure they were making the right decisions.
“The family marriage bill was a fairly heated topic in Seattle, and it's an important issue,” Scott Rhinehart said.
Ernie Alger, Fruitland, also said he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman and voted “yes” on H.J.R. 2, the amendment to the Idaho constitution that would define marriage between one man and one woman. Morals were important to Alger in this election, he said, and he voted for candidates who supported the marriage amendment and who are pro-life.
“Because it's (marriage) how God established it, and it's important to keep it that way,” Alger said.
Dennis Beus, Fruitland, said his beliefs played a strong role in his decisions, and he said he also believes marriage should be between a man and a woman.
He said he voted to amend the constitution because it will clearly define marriage for the future.
The world is going down the pot according to Payette resident Nadine Sandland. Sandland said the world pales in comparison to the peaceful and beautiful place she knew growing up. Even though her great-granddaughter is alive because of stem-cell research, Sandland said she thinks it is wrong to take a life to further research opportunities.
Also, the institution of marriage was important to Sandland, and she said without a clear definition it could lead to polygamy and marriages other than those between a man and a woman.
“Our patriotism has gone down the sink,” Sandland said. “United we stand, divided we fall, and we are divided today because of the far left and the far right.”
Taxes turned out to be an issue for a couple voters coming out of the polls Tuesday. Sandra Buchanan, Fruitland, said her property tax had been raised two times this year, and she voted a Democratic ticket because she wanted to put someone in office who would take care of the people's issues. Robert White, Payette, said the sales tax has hurt Payette, and he voted for gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brady because he believes a new vision may help reduce the sales tax in border towns through the state.
“We were really close to reducing the sales tax in this county a few years ago and maybe new, fresh blood will get something done,” White said.
Steve Kinzer, Fruitland, voted for change because he said he does not like the “good old boy” system and wanted leaders who had the same values as the people.
For Payette County Planning and Zoning commissioner and Payette City Councilman Jeff Williams, Proposition 2 was the most important issue on the ballot. Williams said he voted “no” because he was worried about litigation that could result from the eminent domain and property compensation initiative.
