Smith Will Not Seek Recount
You always hear people say your vote counts, well this election it was proven more than ever.
Two Rome City Commission races were decided by 7 votes or less. Newcomer Milton Slack edged incumbent Norman Skidmore by only 4 votes in ward 1. Political veteran Paul Smith narrowly lost a ward 2 seat by only 7 votes to Duane Reid, who had held the seat after he filled the unexpired term of Katie Dempsey in 2006.
Reid stepped down himself to pursue a job in Florida but choose to return to Rome and run for his old seat. Reid has said his home is in Rome and his family quickly realized that Rome was where they wanted to be after being away for only a short time.
Officials at the Floyd County elections office say that a recount will not automatically be done and that if one is requested by a candidate, it would have to be funded by the one making the request. As of midday Wednesday, no recount requests have been made.
RomeNewswire contacted Paul Smith Wednesday and Smith said he has no plans to request a recount. He added, “The voters have spoken and that he just wants to thank all of those that helped in his campaign”. Smith says he has plenty to do and he will continue to be active in the community.
With all of the city seats decided, attention now turns to who will be appointed Mayor. Expect jockeying for the position to begin ahead of the selection which will be made after the first of the year. Early names being mentioned are current mayor pro-tem Buzz Wachstetter or the evening’s top vote getter, Wright Bagby. One other name being tossed around is Bill Fricks who has served previously as commission chairman.
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