Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Kinda out there


This out-of-the-way Randall County Precinct certainly isn't Hooterville, but it's got as much of a rural feel as any in the immediate Amarillo-Canyon area.

"This is a neighborhood precinct," said election judge Jack Simpson, wearing a "Judge Jack" identification sticker. "Everyone knows everyone. That's my house behind that green roof shed over there."

It has to be the only Randall County voting precinct in a fire station. It is housed in Randall County Fire Station No. 2 on Hollywood Road about two miles or so west of I-27. Technically, it's 9451 FM Road 2186. It encompasses much of the Greyhawk Landing area.

The precinct has only been in existence since 2005, and has had several homes. It's been at the fire station for a little more than a year, although currently there are no active firemen stationed there. Only the trucks are in the bays.

"It's a lovely sight," Simpson said. "The firemen were here last year and were good hosts. It's been very good for us.

"Our first year we were at Hollywood Baptist Church and then were co-located with another precinct at Arden Road Baptist Church."

A little more than 800 registered voters are on the roll. About 47 percent voted during the early period. Around 130 had voted through 3:30 p.m.

"We've been averaging about 20 an hour," Simpson said. "We're going to have 60 to 70 percent turnout which will exceed our norm. It's a huge turnout."

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