Pike votes down SPLOST

As the courthouse clock struck 8 p.m. Tuesday, the final precinct’s votes were announced in the courtroom. All eight Pike County precincts voted against SPLOST. A total of 1,297 citizens voted no and 989 voted yes.Disappointed citizens streamed out of the courthouse after the results were posted.”I think Pike County citizens are going to regret this,” said EMS Ken Riley. “Taxes are going up. There was a lot of misinformation and scare tactics from the opposition.”Vocal SPLOST opponent Gary Hammock was pleased with the results.”I think it’s very good. I think they’re going to be getting the message.”Zebulon – 125 voted for SPLOST and 156 voted against.Williamson – 109 yes 118 no.Concord – 98 yes, 139 no.Molena- 96 yes, 100 noSecond district – 119 yes, 175 noMeansville – 77 yes, 127 noLifsey Springs – 72 yes, 122 noHollonville – 104 yes, 134 noAdvance voting – 156 voted yes and 173 voted no.Paper absentee – 33 voted yes, 53 voted no.TOTAL: 989 yes, 1,297 noIn Zebulon, nearly 300 voters showed up to elect William Thomas for a district 1 council seat and Joel O’Barr for a district 2 council seat. But SPLOST was the main issue this election, and community showed their support for and against the one-cent tax with yard signs, letters to the editor and comments on this website. Probate judge Lynn Brandenburg said of 1,800 registered voters, less than 300 showed up to vote in Zebulon. Of the 8 precincts, all voted against SPLOST. Of 10,073 registered Pike County voters, 2,297 cast their vote Tuesday.