Seventy-three votes after the initial count, Dean Echols is the unofficial winner of the second open seat on the Chino Valley Town Council with 905 votes, while Linda Hatch is the unofficial winner of the third open council seat with 874 votes.
Candidate Dorothy Schmidt finished three votes behind at 871 votes. The fourth candidate, Robert Justice, ended up dead last with 703 votes.
Chino Valley Town Clerk Jami Lewis said the results don't warrant any automatic recount. To qualify for an automatic recount, the candidates would have to be one or two votes apart, she said.
Lewis said, "We've never had a challenge in the 14 years I've worked for the town."
Schmidt told the Courier Wednesday, "I am going to ask for a recount. It is the only logical thing to do with only three votes separating us. I figured we'd be 30-40 votes apart, but to be three votes apart before and after the final 73 ballots were counted, that's unbelievable."
Lewis said for Schmidt to seek a recount and challenge the election results she must file a challenge in Yavapai County Superior Court.
Hatch said, "I think she's in her rights to do that."
"If after the recount comes out, and Linda (Hatch) is still the winner I will support her. She is a wonderful candidate and will make a good councilperson," Schmidt said.
Lewis said the final unofficial results show 1,900 or 34.5 percent of Chino Valley's 5,512 registered voters cast votes in Tuesday's general election.
In the March 10 primary election voters elected Jim Bunker as the new mayor. Mayor Karen Fann did not seek re-election to the post. Also on March 10, voters elected Carl Tenney outright to the third open council seat.
Echols said he plans on working to help the town grow. "I will work with the other members of the council to the best of my ability to (see the town) grow in the right direction," he said.
This was Echols' first run for political office.
Hatch said it is wild to have only a three-vote difference.
"I wish to thank my committee, town employees and individuals for their help. I look forward to working with Mayor-elect (Jim) Bunker, the council and most of all the people of the community," she said.
Hatch added, "We have a lot of hard work ahead of us to make the town the best it can be. Thank you again for your trust in me."
This was also the first time Hatch has run for a political office.
Lewis said the town plans to swear in all of the candidates elected in the primary and general election at the June 11 council meeting.
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Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2009
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Nancy & Brian Biggs
