The Crestview News Bulletin reports that a "Baker Fire District referendum flames out." Baker is a small town here in NWFL. The district was asking for an increase from $56 to $85 for annual residential assessments and from $90 to $125 for commercial assessments. The referendum, which was conducted by mail, was defeated 311 votes to 186 votes.

Commission Chairman Ben Carr speculated that having to pay the return postage on the ballots might have suppressed participation in the referendum and implied that it might have affected the outcome. He seems to believe that there were at least 126 voters who were willing to pay 29 to 35 dollars more each year for fire protection but weren't willing to pay 39 cents to say so.

While I can believe that having to pay the return postage could have suppressed more 'yes' votes than 'no' votes, I seriously doubt that it affected the outcome. It's easier for me to believe that the voters were influenced more by their level of confidence in the fire district commission than by a one-time 39 cent cost.

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