Smithfield Mayor Disappointed by Failure of Space Program Levy

SMITHFIELD - Mayor Ted Boyd had a vision of the future when he took office in 2011. He had an idea that would bring jobs to the small town of Smithfield, which would also provide a much needed boost to its fledgling economy.

"When I was campaigning for mayor, I promised everyone that I would take the community in a whole new direction," Boyd said in an interview today. "I said I would take us upwards. The sky's the limit."

Unfortunately for Boyd, voters didn't seem to take his message literally.

"We spent two years gathering the resources and planning a budget," said Boyd. "I didn't think the enitre town would take 'Reach for the Void, Vote for Boyd' figuratively."

Perhaps that's why voters were shocked when city council proposed a $196 billion tax levy for the village of 896. Had the levy passed, tax payers would each have had to provide on average $282 million per year to construct a space center on the grounds of Friendship Park.

"Obviously, some people were a little upset about having to pay more tax money," said city councilman Rob Warner. "We're just going to have to campaign a little harder next year and work on our transparency in town hall meetings."

The levy failed by a count of 376-0. Boyd points to his failure to connect with minority voters and women as the primary reason.

"I think some people were worried that we weren't going to hire blacks or Hispanics," said Boyd. "That idea is asinine, we would have a huge need for custodians with a space program this big."