UPDATE: Residents Turn Out to Vote For & Against Referendum

Deerfield residents Patch spoke with Tuesday had one thing on their minds when heading into vote: the $133 million referendum.

“It’s ridiculous without a better plan,” a longtime Deerfield resident said after casting her ballot at Deerfield Village Hall. “A lot of the improvements they’re choosing to make are pre-mature.”

Shirley Mailfald voted at Deersprings Pool, another local precinct that saw 411 voters by noon on Tuesday. Mailfald said she was also concerned about the township’s capital improvement plan, which calls for upgrades to both Deerfield and Highland Park High Schools. More important, however, was exercising her franchise.

“I always vote. I’ve never missed one (an election),” Mailfald said. “I’m also concerned about taxes,” she added discussing the referendum. She declined to say how she voted.

Leo Abramson, the parent of one current student and one future pupil there, was enthusiastic about his support for the spending plan.

“We live in this community, we pay high taxes and our high schools should reflect that,” Abramson said. The parent of a Warrior gymnast, he does not feel Deerfield’s facilities match other area schools, other voters agreed.

“While my taxes may go up a little I think it will help me with the resale value of my home,” another resident told Patch while walking out of the polling location at .

By 1 p.m. Tuesday election officials say the village had seen close to 250 voters. “So far it’s going pretty well,” site manager Elaine Lampert commented. “It’s been a steady stream.”

An estimated 450 residents are expected to cast ballots at the village’s polling location by the end of the day.