APTOS—Results that continued to trickle in Wednesday showed Measure R falling short of the 55 percent it needs to pass.
The $274 million bond measure was created to fund maintenance, construction and infrastructure projects at Cabrillo College’s Aptos and Watsonville campuses. If it manages to garner an extra 5 percent of the needed yes votes, it would place about $20 per $100,000 on the assessed value of homes.
It was billed as a needed infusion of revenue for the aging Aptos campus, and a way for the college to bring its technology up to date.
Perhaps the most compelling project on the list was a $23 million public safety training center for the Watsonville area, where law enforcement officials and firefighters could receive professional training.
Cabrillo College officials ran a vigorous campaign, with supporters knocking on doors throughout the county and signs plastered on power poles and lawns.
But the opposition was nearly equally as vocal, with detractors asking why homeowners must bear the financial brunt when institutions need new revenue.
Cabrillo spokeswoman Kristen Fabos said the election is too early to call, with thousands of ballots still left to count, and nearly three weeks in which to do it.
“We are still waiting for the Democratic process to play out,” she said. “We are cautiously optimistic.”
