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Voters 'In A Real Good Mood' In Pasco

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By GEOFF FOX | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 4, 2008

12:51 p.m. By mid- to late-morning, some voters who live in the sprawling Meadow Pointe community in south central Pasco County had to wait up to an hour to vote, but those exiting the polls didn't seem upset about the lines.

And in Meadow Pointe, that's saying something.

People here complain bitterly about proposed driveways at proposed nearby drug stores.

They have vehemently disagreed among themselves over clubhouse amenities.

School boundaries? Don't get them started.

Stuart McBeath, a poll worker at the Meadow Pointe I clubhouse, said an early morning, registration-related computer glitch caused one Meadow Pointe resident to wait two hours to vote.

"But since 8:45 a.m. or so, it's been real smooth." He said. "Everybody's been in a real good mood."

Resident Jim Baker said he arrived at the clubhouse around 10 a.m. and waited about 45 minutes.

"I've been here 16 years and usually you can walk right in," Baker said. "I want to see McCain win, that's what inspire me to come out. I don't see anyone voting for someone with [Obama's] policies."

As they exited the Meadow Pointe I clubhouse, neighbors Deborah Long, Vicki Hutto and Michelle Nowicky wore their "I VOTED" stickers with a smile.

Long voted for Obama.

"We can't have another four years of Bush politics," she said.

Hutto also voted for Obama for pretty much the same reason.

A registered Democrat, Nowicky voted for McCain.

"Obama stepped on the flag," she said.

"But John McCain is totally opposite all of us," Hutto said.

Nowicky said she doesn't "trust Obama and what he's gonna do."

At the Meadow Pointe II clubhouse, about two miles away, Scott Kline said he arrived at 11:05 a.m. and only waited about 10 minutes to vote.

"I voted for McCain," he said. "I liked most of what he was standing for, as opposed to Obama," he said. "I didn't agree with everything but you have to go with what you got."

By 11:30 a.m., the parking lot at Meadow Pointe II looked full, but there wasn't much of a line.

At the Meadow Pointe III clubhouse on Meadow Pointe Boulevard, poll worker Kenneth Prescott said some early morning voters had to wait up to 90 minutes. As noon approached, the wait was down to about 20 minutes.

"People have been very cooperative, though," he said.

Nearby, a Tampa police officer waited to cast his vote.

"Maybe that's because I'm here," he said with a grin.

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