GALLIPOLIS — Supporters of the Gallia County 911 and Council on Aging levies turned out in force Tuesday to guarantee that both issues gained easy passage.

The 911 levy won with 70 percent of the vote (5,047 to 2,133), meaning the 1/4 of 1 percent sales and use tax will remain in effect for another five years. The 911 levy was first approved by county voters in 1994 and has been renewed each time it has appeared on the ballot.

Voters also lent their approval to the Gallia County Council on Aging replacement levy, which passed with nearly 63 percent of voters in favor of it (4,577 to 2,700). That tax levy is 0.5 mill for each $1.00 of valuation that amounts to five cents for each $100 of valuation for a period of five years, beginning in 2010, first due in calendar year 2011.

The Council on Aging operates the Gallia County Senior Resource Center as well as a host of outreach programs, including transportation, homecare services, adult day services and nutrition services.

Fire protection levies in Huntington, Morgan, Raccoon and Walnut townships also passed easily on Tuesday.

Gallia County voters heartily backed statewide Issues 1 and 2, but rejected Issue 3. All three issues gained passage statewide.

Issue 1 allows the state issue bonds to provide compensation to veterans of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. Gallia County voters supported Issue 1 by a margin of 5,220 to 1,979.

Issue 2 allows the state to form the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, which will establish and implement policies regarding the treatment of livestock and poultry. In Gallia County, “yes” votes outnumbered “no” votes, 5,050 to 2,231.

Issue 3 allows the state to establish one casino each in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo and levy a fixed tax of 33 percent on gross revenue from each facility. This marked the fifth attempt by gambling supporters to pass an issue in their favor. Local voters opposed Issue 3 by a margin of 4,047 to 3,259.

According to the Ohio Secretary of State’s Website, voter turnout statewide was just 24.31 percent. In Gallia County, 35.37 percent of registered voters showed up at polling places (7,544 out of 21,330).

(On the Web: Ohio Secretary of State, www.sos.state.oh.us; Gallia County 2009 election results, gallianet.net)