Well, I was wrong on all accounts except Lee County.  Here’s how the vote went:

Opelika — Yes: 925, No: 1,652

Auburn — Yes: 2,054, No: 2,318

Lee County — Yes: 506, No: 2,329

I knew Auburn would be close, but it was the opposite direction.  I knew Lee County would be a resounding “HECK NO.” Opelika, I’m surprised.

Well, expect people to be let go and programs to be cut.  How drastic is too soon to tell.

By the way, this blog broke the news.    Just a little thing we newsies love to say.

It has finally arrived! The seven-mill property tax increase vote is taking place around east Alabama today. Opelika, Auburn, Lee County and Phenix City are all decided whether or not to accept the increase in each school district.

The money is earmarked specifically for the schools. Most of the systems have it marked just for building new schools, which are needed because of the area’s growth.

I just got back from the poll, and I’m not ashamed to say I voted for the hike here in Opelika. We plan on being here a while, and I want my daughter to have a better high school to go to if we’re here that long.  I also know what programs will get cut if this thing doesn’t pass.  They’re building that new school with or without the tax increase. Might as well keep the programs intact to go along with it.

Most that know me know I’m a strict conservative. I don’t believe in new taxes, but I will make an exception once in a blue moon.  This is one of them.

From a reporter’s view, I’ll be glad when today is over.  I’m frankly tired of covering this issue.  I think I’ll go ahead and make my predictions for the vote (except Phenix City since I don’t cover it, and I don’t have a decent read on the opinions there): Opelika will pass the tax.  Auburn will pass it, but it won’t be by a wide margin.  Lee County won’t pass it because the school board is getting a lot of political heat for dismissing the 16-year superintendent a month ago.

I’ll let you know if I’m right later on.

Actually, it’s more like “lightning struck.” We had a nasty visitor at the WTVM East Alabama Bureau this afternoon.  Our office was nailed by lightning.

It scared Liz half to death, and I was out on a story. I came in to find our transmitter, edit monitors, live camera and television fried. Our engineers have to come in Tuesday morning armed with new gear for us.

Liz said it was like a bright flash went off in the building.  Our buddy across the hall, Walt, said he felt the electricity run up his arm.  I’m glad everyone is okay.

Our tower is maybe 10-20 feet from our window.  We’re surprised it hasn’t been hit by lightning before today.  We have surge protectors for all our equipment, but some didn’t survive.  We’ll see how tomorrow goes.

Well, my Friday nights and Saturdays are officially over until November.  I got my “football eye” plugged back in, and I shot the first high school game of the season tonight. That means I’m shooting every Friday night and every Bama home game for the rest of the year.

I love football, but it’s hard to enjoy it as a fan when you have to work the games. Alas, it’s time once again, though!  It’s back to Tuscaloosa next weekend!

I was just looking through my network on Facebook. I came upon this inspiring young man’s description of himself:

“Yo! I live in *******, but I’m in ****** like every chance I get. You can catch me in the Home Depot parking lot some saturday nights. I love to check out the peoples imports. I have an orange Nissan 300ZX myself. If you wanna be my friend hit me up. Lata.”

Hanging out in the Home Depot parking lot? Oh, man… I guess that beats the Piggly Wiggly parking lot we used to hang out in during high school.