'No' vote means Prospect Heights streets to go unrepaired

The negative outcome of the Prospect Heights home-rule vote means the "city will do nothing" different than it is now, Mayor Pat Ludvigsen said, sounding frustrated as he reflected on Tuesday's loss.

That translates into most city streets that need repairs won't get them, he said.

But those opposed to home rule looked at the defeat differently. It means the city won't have the capacity to raise certain taxes, which was a fear if the measure passed.

Alderman Dolly Vole had been most high-profile person on the city council to voice her concerns over home rule. She worried the additional taxing powers it would give the council could be misused by future city councils.

The city needs to look at alternatives, she said. Looking closer at other spending would be one option, she said. Also, instead of rebuilding some streets, perhaps the city could resurface them, she said

"Some people are saying 'now what'"? Vole said. "'Now what' means let's get a plan together."

Tuesday's defeat was another blow to city officials who supported home-rule status for the town of 17,000. It was defeated with 2,852 "no" votes, about 58 percent, to 1,996 "yes" votes, about 42 percent. four years ago, the same measure lost by a 2-1 ratio.

A city report indicates half of the roads maintained by the city are in serious need of repair. The city currently collects about $700,000 in hotel taxes, but currently by law that money must be used on tourism. Home rule would have given the city the power to spend some of that money on roads and to double the hotel tax to generate more money.