The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-10
The Referendum,

Next Tuesday Blufton citizens will go the polls to
settle issue which has split the community into camps
vote will be cast to approve dsapprove action of the vii
lage council authorizing the sale of the electric light and
power system lock, stock and barrel.
To review the situation it will be recalled that the refer
endum its action invited by members of council who,
they said at the time felt that Buton citizens pre-
fered to sell out the electric system completely rather than
to abandon the municipal generating plant purchase power
wholesale from utility, and distribute the municipal
lines proposed by the board of public affairs If the refer
endum proved that more Buon citizens preferred the board
OF public affairs plan of purchased power members of council
agreed that they would direct legislation accordingly.
The referendum appeared the only by which
citizens of Buon would have express their opinions
the issue Since councils action has been agreed by both
sides to be the practical solution.
The arguments have pursued many facets since then
One scarcely walk down Main street without being drawn
into discussion of the light plant question Names have
called and all sorts of ridiculous stories have circulated from
both but essentially the major points of difference
we believe what they were in the beginning. u
Without any intention of telling anyone how they should
vote next Tuesday summarize in just few sentences the
differences them in the two lines of reasoning:
Those who follow the board of public affairs arguments
declare that the municipal operation of the electric system
has been successful and profitable all along, that system
valued at than S466000 has been built up out of
They point out however that it would be foolish
continue operation Of the present generating system in
crease its capacity when power be purchased from
utility less expensvey than it being generated This
be kept in the community While cannot compete in gen.
Grating power with the big utility plants distribution is
local problem which can handle less extensively than the
larger operation they declare They cite their figures
and the opinion of qualified engineer substantate their
reasoning
Say those who would sell out and the entire system
private enterprise: We do not believe the figures sub
mtted by the BPA and its engineer tell the entire story We
cannot visualize the profits they do because do not be-
eVe they have taken every contingency every factor into
consideration We believe it will be better to accept the offer
made for system and apply against the debt and inter-
est obligations the village faces We believe the utility
company will give modern system and better
ice at fair raes-rates higher than paying
So there you are. Perhaps over-simplied but boiled
down to the essential differences. An impressive list of
supporters has been named by both sides Both sides claim
well qualified for analysing facts and gurespesons
who have nothing to gain personally whichever way the vote
goes.
We pleased that Issue which to be ex-
posive has resolved itself Many undoubtedly
still wondering which way they will vote, but because
they have not been appraz of the question and only
because there many ways of looking at the facts
The world will not come an end Tuesday night when
the question settled The issue will not decide the fate of
Buffton to believe it WILL There many
munities being served by prvate utilities others on the
wholesale purchased power plan.
Whichever decision is made at least everyone who has
stake in the problem will have opportunity to east his
ballot Whichever decision made there will be certain stu
aons which will arise giving the losers the pleasure of point
ing finger and saying: 81 told you So"