Montrose - Daily Press

Voters, we’ve learned from recent elections, want to be “sold” on supporting a bond referendum, a mill levy increase or sales tax. We’ve witnessed how if the tent is large – meaning, if there’s plenty of citizens will to stake their names and energies to its passage with fellow voters – the chances of success are far better. Consider the evidence.

• Two initiatives in 1998 and 1999 to build and renovate local schools in Montrose and Olathe failed. The second campaign even featured a strategy to keep it low key in order not to rile those who usually vote against such measures; predictably, the second effort failed by a larger margin. In 2002, the ‘It’s About Pride’ campaign took root with a broad effort. Members of the farm/ranch community, the business community, young families and retirees became involved. There were regular meetings that began a year out from voting. A speaker’s bureau was developed to reach out to civic group and service clubs. There was much activism and handshaking, from lawn signs to newspaper advertising to in-home socials. The $23 million referendum passed.

• In 2005, voters agreed to a mill levy increase on their property to finance the expansion of fire stations and emergency medical services. After four failed attempts, once again city and rural voters came together to convince voters that additional fire protection and ambulance coverage is a quality of life issue.

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• A year ago, a diverse citizen coalition began meeting in February of 2007 to pass a sales tax to renovate county roads and bridges, and to expand law enforcement. Meetings were held monthly; there were fundraisers to pay for campaign expenses such as advertising and other campaign needs. Mostly, there was a passion that after two failed attempts, this was a necessity for continued economic development and safety. The two measures passed with 58 percent of the vote.

We resurrect all this because of what’s on the ballot this year, Question 2A. It’s a half-cent sales tax on lodging, meals and ground transportation to raise some $300,000 annually for the Telluride Montrose Regional Air Organization. The TMRAO provides airlines with a guaranteed income to bring connecting flights into the Montrose Regional Airport. The city of Montrose has funded this program as a budget line item; it represents about 12 percent of the TMRAO budget. The majority of the funds come from Telluride interests.

The thinking behind Question 2A is that if voters sign off on this, most of the burden of the $300,000 will be borne by tourists and that the city can dedicate the line item contribution to other programs and services. The city council unanimously passed the resolution to put it on the ballot Sept. 4.

Question 2A seems to be an orphan. In a ballot that contains Sens. Obama and McCain, county commissioner candidates, and a number of state amendments, it has drawn little visible support. There’s been no widespread advocacy from city leaders, no letters to the editor clamoring for its passage, no rallies or door-to-door solicitation.

We could quote song and verse about how our airport is an economic jewel for industry, tourism, and quality of life. How unique it is to have so many commercial flights in a city of 17,000. How the economies of Montrose and Telluride are so symbiotic these days, despite historic and cultural differences. A good many know this, but they’re on the sidelines for this one.

Metaphorically speaking, Question 2A, the airline guarantee tax, is “flying under the radar.” It is unlikely to pass.

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