Min 02/03/1982 r
256
Wichita Falls, Texas
Memorial Auditorium Bldg.
February 3, 1982
Items 1 & 2
The Board of Aldermen of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, met in called
session on the above date in the Council Room of the Memorial Auditorium Building
at 11:30 A.M. , with the following members present.
Kenneth Hill Mayor
Gene Shearman
John W. Hampton
Carol G. Russell Aldermen
Curtis W. Smith
James B. Thomas
Stuart Bach City Manager
H. P. Hodge, Jr. City Attorney
Wilma J. Thomas City Clerk
Fred Werner Chief Accounting Officer
Horace 0. Boston Absent
The invocation was given by Alderman Hampton.
Item 3
Mayor Hill announced that the meeting had been called to consider changes in
polling places for future city elections.
City Attorney H. P. Hodge stated that this is brought about by the change in
voting areas in the County, and by the County. It is necessary for us to establish
new lines. On the recommendation of City Clerk Wilma Thomas, we are asking the
Council to combine some of the areas that were before separate because it will be
a tax savings to the City.
RESOLUTION NO. 33-82
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING POLLING PLACES FOR FUTURE CITY
ELECTIONS.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS,
THAT:
Future municipal elections in the City of Wichita Falls shall be held at the
following named polling places; voters residing in the city limits of Wichita Falls
within the County precinct numbers shown below shall vote in the City boxes as shown
below.
COUNTY CITY BOX
PRECINCT NO. POLLING PLACE NUMBER
1,2,9,10,11,41 Court House 1
7th and Lamar
3 & 4 Lamar School 2
2206 Lucas
5,17,47,50 McGaha School 3
1615 Midwestern Pkwy.
6,30,43 Ben Franklin School 4
2112 Speedway
7,40,54 Washington Kindergarten 5
600 Flood
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Item 3, cont'd.
COUNTY CITY BOX
PRECINCT NO. POLLING PLACE NUMBER
8,12,31 Fain School 6
1404 Norman
13,26,61,62 Kate Haynes School 7
1705 Katherine
14,21,45,53 Crockett School 8
3015 Avenue I
15,19,20,22 Zundelowitz Jr. High School 9
1706 Polk
16,57,59 Rider High School 10
4611 Cypress
18,42,44,55 Hirschi High School 11
3106 Borton
23,24,25 Sam Houston School 12
2500 Grant
48,51,58 Barwise Jr. High School 13
3807 Kemp
52 & 56 Cunningham School 14
4107 Phillips
Moved by Alderman Thomas that Resolution No. 33-82 be passed.
Motion seconded by Alderman Smith.
Alderman Shearman confirmed that we are cutting down on the polling places, and
consolidating some of these areas. He stated that he is opposed to doing this because
we have enough apathy on the part of the voters. He does not want to discourage the
voters, but rather wishes we could encourage them.
Alderman Thomas stated that he does not see how this would discourage voters.
When you get into your car it doesn't matter whether you are going to drive five or
six blocks, eight or nine blocks or one or two miles. He does not see that this
will discourage voters because the polling place may be a little farther. Inflation
has affected every part of the country. This is another thing inflation is doing.
We are forced by economic measures to take action such as this, and he does not
believe it will cut down on the voting. He stated that he would not want to take
any action that would discourage voting, and he does not think that this will .
Alderman Shearman noted that some of us are not fortunate enough to own
automobiles. Alderman Thomas stated that people find a way to go to work whether
they have a car or not.
Alderman Thomas asked City Clerk Wilma Thomas if she did any survey on the
distance someone would have to go to the poll after it was changed?
Mrs. Thomas stated that it would be very difficult to pick a residence (or all
residences) and track the distance to the new polling places. She noted that many "°
will be even closer than previously. Unless a person lived right across the street,
the distance would be different anywhere else. Mrs. Thomas explained that she did,
however, make a. diligent survey on the distance from one polling place to another,
and she doubts that any of them are more than one or two miles farther than the
original polling place. Some of the voters will be closer to the new polling place.
Mrs. Thomas further explained that she also carefully observed barriers , such as
freeways, which would make it difficult to get from one place to another.
Mayor Hill stated that if we had perfection, we would have a polling place
across the street from all of us. If a person wants to vote, that person will vote,
and he does not believe this makes any difference. He stated that he is in favor
of adopting these changes in order to save money.
258
Item 3, cont'd.
The motion was carried by the following vote.
Ayes : Mayor Hill , Aldermen Hampton, Russell , Smith, and Thomas
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Nays : Alderman Shearman
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The Board of Aldermen adjourned at 11:45 A.M.
PASSED AND APPROVED this �� �,��✓ day of vc.�
1982.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
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