Mayor ousted after Bolivar vote canvass

June 14, 2005|by DAVE McMILLION

BOLIVAR, W.Va. - By a one-vote margin, Ed Hall became the new mayor of Bolivar Monday night after three provisional votes were accepted from last week's town election.

Hall defeated Mayor Tim Collins with 115 votes compared to Collins' 114 votes.

Collins was leading Hall by a 114-112 vote count in last Tuesday's election.

But the election was too close to call because of four provisional ballots.

Provisional ballots are ones recognized by pollworkers as possibly being illegal or having incorrect paperwork. However, people who cast them were allowed to vote.

A canvassing board reviewed the four provisional ballots at the Bolivar Community Center Monday night and determined that three of the provisional ballots could be accepted, but that the fourth had to be rejected, said town Recorder P. Jean Reed.

The three provisional ballots which were accepted gave Hall an additional three votes, awarding him a four-year term as mayor. The Bolivar mayor will receive $3,000 a year starting July 1.

Reed told candidates Monday night that they had 48 hours to ask for a ballot recount.

Collins announced that he would not seek a recount and congratulated Hall on his win.

Residential development was an issue in the election.

Hall said he wanted to head up an effort to have more detailed plans for any future housing development in town.

Hall declined to elaborate on his comments Monday night, saying he wants to get acquainted with town government before saying more.

"I look forward to working with the community," Hall said.

The canvass did not affect the outcome in the seven-way race for five seats on the Bolivar Town Council.

The winners in the council race were Mary Rutherford, Robert "Bob" Hardy, Donna Howe Callar, John Paul Heafer and Carrie Ellen Gauthier. Town council members will earn $2,400 a year starting July 1.

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