http://naplesnews.com/news/local/election/2007/?partner=RSSnaplesnews.com Stories: Elections - Collier & Leeen-uslocal/election/2007/news/local/election/2007/?partner=RSShttp://naplesnews.com/feeds/headlines/local/election/2007/2008-11-21T16:42:34.821794Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/15/burt-saunders-steps-out-public-service-spotlight-h/?partner=RSSYears of public service have brought him to this: Assistant Scout Master of Naples Boy Scout Troop 165. For former state Sen. Burt Saunders, the moniker is as important, if not more so, than any the Naples Republican has ever held. And the list is pretty lengthy: Collier County attorney, Collier County commissioner, state representative, state senator, committee chairman and Congressional candidate. As the Nov. 4 election ushered in a new legion of leaders from the nation’s first black president to a Republican banker from Naples who will take over his Senate seat, Saunders said he’s looking forward to spending more time with his boys, including twins he is helping become Eagle Scouts. mpeltier1234@comcast.net (MICHAEL PELTIER)Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/15/burt-saunders-steps-out-public-service-spotlight-h/?partner=RSSlocal/election/20071863452008-11-15T19:41:002008-11-15T17:00:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Years of public service have brought him to this: Assistant Scout Master of Naples Boy Scout Troop 165. For former state Sen. Burt Saunders, the moniker is as important, if not more so, than any the Naples Republican has ever held. And the list is pretty lengthy: Collier County attorney, Collier County commissioner, state representative, state senator, committee chairman and Congressional candidate. As the Nov. 4 election ushered in a new legion of leaders from the nation’s first black president to a Republican banker from Naples who will take over his Senate seat, Saunders said he’s looking forward to spending more time with his boys, including twins he is helping become Eagle Scouts.Bonita Springs, FLMICHAEL PELTIERBurt Saunders steps out of public service spotlight, but for how long?naplesnews.comburt-saunders-steps-out-public-service-spotlight-hhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/14/recount-confirms-incumbents-win-golden-gate-fire-c/?partner=RSSWith more than 20,000 ballots to recount, it was a two-day process, but by the end of Friday evening, Collier County elections officials were able to determine a winner in the race for Seat 1 on the Golden Gate Fire Rescue and Control Commission. Incumbent Commissioner Robert “Rob” Stoneburner held on to his narrow lead. imstackel@naplesnews.com (I.M. STACKEL)Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:31:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/14/recount-confirms-incumbents-win-golden-gate-fire-c/?partner=RSSelection1863282008-11-14T21:31:002008-11-14T21:31:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008With more than 20,000 ballots to recount, it was a two-day process, but by the end of Friday evening, Collier County elections officials were able to determine a winner in the race for Seat 1 on the Golden Gate Fire Rescue and Control Commission. Incumbent Commissioner Robert “Rob” Stoneburner held on to his narrow lead.NAPLESI.M. STACKELRecount confirms incumbent’s win for Golden Gate fire commissionnaplesnews.comrecount-confirms-incumbents-win-golden-gate-fire-chttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/14/online-ticket-brokers-trying-score-more-change-oba/?partner=RSSCaveat emptor. President-elect Barack Obama cruised to an easy victory Nov. 4 on the strength of his “change” mantra, but many online ticket brokers are looking to score a lot more than just some spare change to witness the swearing-in of the country’s first African-American president on Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C. johnaosborne@hotmail.com (JOHN OSBORNE)Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:17:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/14/online-ticket-brokers-trying-score-more-change-oba/?partner=RSSlocal1863122008-11-14T20:52:002008-11-14T19:17:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Caveat emptor. President-elect Barack Obama cruised to an easy victory Nov. 4 on the strength of his “change” mantra, but many online ticket brokers are looking to score a lot more than just some spare change to witness the swearing-in of the country’s first African-American president on Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C.BONITA SPRINGSJOHN OSBORNEOnline ticket brokers trying to score more than change on Obama inauguration ticket salesnaplesnews.comonline-ticket-brokers-trying-score-more-change-obahttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/13/president-elect-barack-obama-considers-sen-hillary/?partner=RSSSen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is among the candidates that President-elect Barack Obama is considering for secretary of state, according to two Democratic officials in close contact with the Obama transition team. Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:17:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/13/president-elect-barack-obama-considers-sen-hillary/?partner=RSSelection1862622008-11-13T23:17:002008-11-13T23:17:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is among the candidates that President-elect Barack Obama is considering for secretary of state, according to two Democratic officials in close contact with the Obama transition team.CHICAGOPresident-elect Barack Obama considers Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for secretary of statenaplesnews.compresident-elect-barack-obama-considers-sen-hillaryhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/13/winner-still-undetermined-golden-gate-fire-rescue-/?partner=RSSWith more than 20,000 ballots to recount, it was an all-day process, but by the end of Thursday afternoon, Collier County elections officials were still unable to determine a winner in the race for Golden Gate Fire Rescue and Control Commission Seat 1. tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:53:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/13/winner-still-undetermined-golden-gate-fire-rescue-/?partner=RSScitizen/news1862592008-11-13T22:53:002008-11-13T22:53:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008With more than 20,000 ballots to recount, it was an all-day process, but by the end of Thursday afternoon, Collier County elections officials were still unable to determine a winner in the race for Golden Gate Fire Rescue and Control Commission Seat 1.Bonita Springs, FLWinner still undetermined in Golden Gate Fire Rescue Seat 1 racenaplesnews.comwinner-still-undetermined-golden-gate-fire-rescue-http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/12/collier-recount-decides-two-close-races-one-left/?partner=RSSBallot recounting for close races in Collier County continues this morning, but Wednesday’s process determined winners in the Fiddler’s Creek and Lely communities. Overseen by Collier County Judge Rob Crown and Collier Supervisor of Elections Jennifer Edwards, the elections office had to recount ballots for a tie in the Fiddler’s Creek Community Development District Seat 4 race as well as a very close contest for Lely Community Development District Seat 5. imstackel@naplesnews.com (I.M. STACKEL)Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:42:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/12/collier-recount-decides-two-close-races-one-left/?partner=RSSelection1861412008-11-12T18:58:002008-11-12T17:42:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Ballot recounting for close races in Collier County continues this morning, but Wednesday’s process determined winners in the Fiddler’s Creek and Lely communities. Overseen by Collier County Judge Rob Crown and Collier Supervisor of Elections Jennifer Edwards, the elections office had to recount ballots for a tie in the Fiddler’s Creek Community Development District Seat 4 race as well as a very close contest for Lely Community Development District Seat 5.NAPLESI.M. STACKELPHOTOS: Collier recount decides two close races, one leftnaplesnews.comcollier-recount-decides-two-close-races-one-lefthttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/11/machine-recounts-two-collier-races-set-wednesday/?partner=RSSMachine recounts of two local races will be conducted beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesday by the Collier County Canvassing Board. Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:28:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/11/machine-recounts-two-collier-races-set-wednesday/?partner=RSSlocal1859852008-11-11T12:28:002008-11-11T12:28:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Machine recounts of two local races will be conducted beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesday by the Collier County Canvassing Board. NAPLESMachine recounts of two Collier races set for Wednesdaynaplesnews.commachine-recounts-two-collier-races-set-wednesdayhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/09/after-amendment-2-passes-some-still-optimistic-abo/?partner=RSSNaples residents of all ages, races, religious affiliations and genders partied Sunday night in unity at an annual dinner in East Naples. It was a joyous party, and it would have been more so, if Amendment 2 had been defeated on Tuesday. You see, revelers enjoying each other’s company were all members of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders, known as PFLAG. And this gathering was about the joy of acceptance and unity. imstackel@naplesnews.com (I.M. STACKEL)Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:11:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/09/after-amendment-2-passes-some-still-optimistic-abo/?partner=RSSlocal/election/20071859032008-11-09T22:11:002008-11-09T22:11:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Naples residents of all ages, races, religious affiliations and genders partied Sunday night in unity at an annual dinner in East Naples. It was a joyous party, and it would have been more so, if Amendment 2 had been defeated on Tuesday. You see, revelers enjoying each other’s company were all members of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders, known as PFLAG. And this gathering was about the joy of acceptance and unity.NAPLESI.M. STACKELAfter Amendment 2 passes, some still optimistic about acceptancenaplesnews.comafter-amendment-2-passes-some-still-optimistic-abohttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/09/michael-peltier-florida-pulls-it-style/?partner=RSS This is what happens when you put an election official in charge of elections. Florida’s top election official last week rightfully claimed that a nearly seamless 2008 presidential contest should allow the state to shed the stigma of being the nation’s electoral klutz and move forward as a model of modern voting. mpeltier1234@comcast.net (MICHAEL PELTIER)Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:41:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/09/michael-peltier-florida-pulls-it-style/?partner=RSSopinion/columnists1858732008-11-09T17:41:002008-11-09T17:41:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008 This is what happens when you put an election official in charge of elections. Florida’s top election official last week rightfully claimed that a nearly seamless 2008 presidential contest should allow the state to shed the stigma of being the nation’s electoral klutz and move forward as a model of modern voting.TALLAHASSEEMICHAEL PELTIERMichael Peltier: Florida pulls it off in stylenaplesnews.commichael-peltier-florida-pulls-it-stylehttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/08/why-was-colliers-voter-turnout-below-lee-state-ave/?partner=RSSThe numbers might indicate that Collier County voters care less than Lee County voters about their privilege to choose their laws and leaders. Collier’s turnout during the 2000 presidential election was 77 percent. For the 2004 presidential election it was, again, 77 percent. But this year, it was about 70 percent. Lee County, on the other hand, had an 85 percent turnout when this Election Day cycle ended Tuesday evening. imstackel@naplesnews.com (I.M. STACKEL)Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:10:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/08/why-was-colliers-voter-turnout-below-lee-state-ave/?partner=RSSelection1858142008-11-08T20:43:002008-11-08T15:10:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008The numbers might indicate that Collier County voters care less than Lee County voters about their privilege to choose their laws and leaders. Collier’s turnout during the 2000 presidential election was 77 percent. For the 2004 presidential election it was, again, 77 percent. But this year, it was about 70 percent. Lee County, on the other hand, had an 85 percent turnout when this Election Day cycle ended Tuesday evening.NAPLESI.M. STACKELWhy was Collier’s voter turnout below Lee, state average?naplesnews.comwhy-was-colliers-voter-turnout-below-lee-state-avehttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/07/even-though-it-doesnt-matter-provisional-votes-sti/?partner=RSSIt was an all-day process. The Lee County canvassing board did not finish its work until Friday evening. The board decided to add some of the provisional ballots to the election night tallies, though an exact number was not available Friday night. The rest were set aside as invalid votes. eawright@bonitanews.com (ELIZABETH WRIGHT)Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:46:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/07/even-though-it-doesnt-matter-provisional-votes-sti/?partner=RSSelection1857832008-11-07T20:46:002008-11-07T20:46:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008It was an all-day process. The Lee County canvassing board did not finish its work until Friday evening. The board decided to add some of the provisional ballots to the election night tallies, though an exact number was not available Friday night. The rest were set aside as invalid votes.BONITA SPRINGSELIZABETH WRIGHT Even though it doesn’t matter, provisional votes still countednaplesnews.comeven-though-it-doesnt-matter-provisional-votes-stihttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/07/obama-had-plan-mccain-didnt-strategist-says/?partner=RSSPresident-elect Barack Obama’s roots in community organizing, his use of the Internet to raise money and his return to door-knocking campaigning in Ohio in the final stretch of the election helped pave the way for his victory, a political strategist says. The economic crisis that hit in September topped voters’ concerns and Sen. John McCain’s misstep in response also worked for Obama’s advantage, said Michael Berland, featured speaker for the Forum Club’s luncheon Friday at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club. The luncheon was the first for the 2008 winter season. epfreeman@naplesnews.com (LIZ FREEMAN)Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:12:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/07/obama-had-plan-mccain-didnt-strategist-says/?partner=RSSelection1857742008-11-07T19:12:002008-11-07T19:12:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008President-elect Barack Obama’s roots in community organizing, his use of the Internet to raise money and his return to door-knocking campaigning in Ohio in the final stretch of the election helped pave the way for his victory, a political strategist says. The economic crisis that hit in September topped voters’ concerns and Sen. John McCain’s misstep in response also worked for Obama’s advantage, said Michael Berland, featured speaker for the Forum Club’s luncheon Friday at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club. The luncheon was the first for the 2008 winter season.NAPLESLIZ FREEMANObama had a plan, McCain didn’t, strategist saysnaplesnews.comobama-had-plan-mccain-didnt-strategist-sayshttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/07/collier-county-canvassing-board-calls-recount-3-ra/?partner=RSSThe Collier County canvassing board has ordered a recount of the votes cast in three local races – Golden Gate Fire Commission seat 1, Lely Community Development District seat 5, and Fiddler’s Creek Community Development District seat 4. Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:06:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/07/collier-county-canvassing-board-calls-recount-3-ra/?partner=RSSlocal1857622008-11-07T17:10:002008-11-07T17:06:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008The Collier County canvassing board has ordered a recount of the votes cast in three local races – Golden Gate Fire Commission seat 1, Lely Community Development District seat 5, and Fiddler’s Creek Community Development District seat 4.NAPLESElection 2008: Collier County canvassing board calls for recount of 3 racesnaplesnews.comcollier-county-canvassing-board-calls-recount-3-rahttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/06/election-fixes-questionable-open-meetings-complian/?partner=RSSA public official at the center of Ave Maria’s questionable compliance with state open meeting laws is no longer on the town’s government. Until Tuesday, Brian Goguen, a vice president at town co-developer Barron Collier Cos., served on the development’s private decision-making body and on the town’s governing board. Goguen’s tenure on both boards overlapped with two employees of town co-developer Tom Monaghan, raising eyebrows from open government experts. ljdillon@naplesnews.com (LIAM DILLON)Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:11:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/06/election-fixes-questionable-open-meetings-complian/?partner=RSSave_maria1856972008-11-06T21:11:002008-11-06T21:11:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008A public official at the center of Ave Maria’s questionable compliance with state open meeting laws is no longer on the town’s government. Until Tuesday, Brian Goguen, a vice president at town co-developer Barron Collier Cos., served on the development’s private decision-making body and on the town’s governing board. Goguen’s tenure on both boards overlapped with two employees of town co-developer Tom Monaghan, raising eyebrows from open government experts.NAPLESLIAM DILLON Election fixes questionable open meetings compliance at Ave Maria naplesnews.comelection-fixes-questionable-open-meetings-complianhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/06/fresh-face-bonita-fire-board-may-lead-new-unions/?partner=RSSHow important was Tuesday’s election for the Bonita Springs firefighters’ union, Local 3444? By all visible signs, very. The union and its firefighters pumped thousands of dollars into campaign coffers for two candidates for district commission, incumbents Bob Paterson and Pasquale Buttino. By November, each man had raised nearly the same amount, $5,075 and $5,275, respectively. On Election Day, firefighters manned the precincts to distribute leaflets and give a final push for their candidates. It wasn’t enough. sbeardsley@bonitanews.com (STEVEN BEARDSLEY)Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:34:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/06/fresh-face-bonita-fire-board-may-lead-new-unions/?partner=RSSelection1856862008-11-12T16:50:002008-11-06T19:34:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008How important was Tuesday’s election for the Bonita Springs firefighters’ union, Local 3444? By all visible signs, very. The union and its firefighters pumped thousands of dollars into campaign coffers for two candidates for district commission, incumbents Bob Paterson and Pasquale Buttino. By November, each man had raised nearly the same amount, $5,075 and $5,275, respectively. On Election Day, firefighters manned the precincts to distribute leaflets and give a final push for their candidates. It wasn’t enough.BONITA SPRINGSSTEVEN BEARDSLEYFresh-face Bonita fire board may lead to new unionsnaplesnews.comfresh-face-bonita-fire-board-may-lead-new-unionshttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/06/local-female-politicians-say-glass-ceiling-doesnt-/?partner=RSSPresident-elect Barack Obama shattered the glass ceiling for African-Americans in politics with his historic election on Tuesday, but another segment of the populace fell just short in its bid to do the same during the 2008 election cycle. Over the course of her campaign, a well-financed Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) garnered more than 17 million votes in a hard-fought primary battle with Obama for the Democratic nomination, prompting Obama to say Clinton had “shattered barriers on behalf of my daughters and women everywhere, who now know that there are no limits to their dreams.” johnaosborne@hotmail.com (JOHN OSBORNE)Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:25:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/06/local-female-politicians-say-glass-ceiling-doesnt-/?partner=RSSelection1856782008-11-07T10:24:002008-11-06T18:25:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008President-elect Barack Obama shattered the glass ceiling for African-Americans in politics with his historic election on Tuesday, but another segment of the populace fell just short in its bid to do the same during the 2008 election cycle. Over the course of her campaign, a well-financed Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) garnered more than 17 million votes in a hard-fought primary battle with Obama for the Democratic nomination, prompting Obama to say Clinton had “shattered barriers on behalf of my daughters and women everywhere, who now know that there are no limits to their dreams.” NAPLESJOHN OSBORNELocal female politicians say glass ceiling doesn’t exist anymore, despite Clinton and Palin lossesnaplesnews.comlocal-female-politicians-say-glass-ceiling-doesnt-http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/06/campaigning-ends/?partner=RSSThe campaigns, the commercials, the anonymous phones calls — It’s all over. And while Islanders may not agree with all the outcomes of the 2008 General Election, they seem to agree that there is a relief that comes with the passing of election campaigning. kelfarrell@yahoo.com (KELLY FARRELL)Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:30:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/06/campaigning-ends/?partner=RSSlocal/election/20071856722008-11-06T17:30:002008-11-06T17:30:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008The campaigns, the commercials, the anonymous phones calls — It’s all over. And while Islanders may not agree with all the outcomes of the 2008 General Election, they seem to agree that there is a relief that comes with the passing of election campaigning.MARCO ISLANDKELLY FARRELLIslanders see things a bit differently this electionnaplesnews.comcampaigning-endshttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/05/election-tie-fiddlers-creek-could-be-resolved-draw/?partner=RSSIt ultimately comes down to a toss of the coin or drawing straws. After Collier County elections officials recertify election numbers, a 244 to 244 tie vote in the race for Seat 4 in Fiddler’s Creek Community Development District will be resolved not by a run-off but drawn lots, according to Florida statutes. Candidates Peggy Schmitt and Robert Slater will first have to wait until the balance of absentee and provisional votes are counted, before they know if the tie is broken. imstackel@naplesnews.com (I.M. STACKEL)Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:37:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/05/election-tie-fiddlers-creek-could-be-resolved-draw/?partner=RSSlocal/election/20071856082008-11-05T21:37:002008-11-05T21:37:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008It ultimately comes down to a toss of the coin or drawing straws. After Collier County elections officials recertify election numbers, a 244 to 244 tie vote in the race for Seat 4 in Fiddler’s Creek Community Development District will be resolved not by a run-off but drawn lots, according to Florida statutes. Candidates Peggy Schmitt and Robert Slater will first have to wait until the balance of absentee and provisional votes are counted, before they know if the tie is broken.NAPLESI.M. STACKELElection tie in Fiddler’s Creek could be resolved by drawing strawsnaplesnews.comelection-tie-fiddlers-creek-could-be-resolved-drawhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/05/diaz-balart-wins-dist-25-6-percent-cushion/?partner=RSSThe numbers were leaning his way late Tuesday night, but now they’re final: U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, scored more than a 6 percent victory over challenger Joe Garcia, a Democrat from Miami. Diaz-Balart’s voter percentages in the greater Miami and Naples areas were comparable, as were Garcia’s. District 25 spans Western Miami-Dade, Eastern Collier and mainland Monroe counties. imstackel@naplesnews.com (I.M. STACKEL)Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:34:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/05/diaz-balart-wins-dist-25-6-percent-cushion/?partner=RSSelection1855992008-11-05T20:34:002008-11-05T20:34:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008The numbers were leaning his way late Tuesday night, but now they’re final: U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, scored more than a 6 percent victory over challenger Joe Garcia, a Democrat from Miami. Diaz-Balart’s voter percentages in the greater Miami and Naples areas were comparable, as were Garcia’s. District 25 spans Western Miami-Dade, Eastern Collier and mainland Monroe counties.NAPLESI.M. STACKELDiaz-Balart wins Dist. 25 with 6 percent cushion naplesnews.comdiaz-balart-wins-dist-25-6-percent-cushionhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/05/referendum-will-help-collier-school-district-get-n/?partner=RSSIf the vote had gone differently Tuesday night, Superintendent Dennis Thompson expected to have a staff meeting Wednesday morning to talk about massive reductions and priorities. Instead, he was in a conference room with reporters and the talk of reductions was off the table — at least for now. Collier County voters approved the district’s referendum with 92,022 votes, or 78.62 percent. About 21 percent of the voters, or 25,021, voted no. The referendum needed 50 percent plus one of the vote to pass. kalewis@naplesnews.com (KATHERINE LEWIS)Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:51:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/05/referendum-will-help-collier-school-district-get-n/?partner=RSSlocal1855962008-11-05T19:51:002008-11-05T19:51:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008If the vote had gone differently Tuesday night, Superintendent Dennis Thompson expected to have a staff meeting Wednesday morning to talk about massive reductions and priorities. Instead, he was in a conference room with reporters and the talk of reductions was off the table — at least for now. Collier County voters approved the district’s referendum with 92,022 votes, or 78.62 percent. About 21 percent of the voters, or 25,021, voted no. The referendum needed 50 percent plus one of the vote to pass.NAPLESKATHERINE LEWISVIDEO: Referendum will help the Collier school district get by, not aheadnaplesnews.comreferendum-will-help-collier-school-district-get-n