With Anton Moody holding a one-count lead over Craig Schulte in the recent race for a Grand Marais City Council seat, a recount was held at the Cook County Courthouse on Thursday, November 15. Bev Wolke is shown here counting ballots. In the back is Cortnee Bernier, who also counted ballots. From L-R are Craig Schulte, Cook County Auditor Braidy Powers, and Anton Moody. When the votes were all counted, Moody held onto his one vote lead of 344 to 343, and he will serve as a Grand Marais city councilor for the next four years. A recount of the west end Cook County commissioner’s race was held later at the courthouse, but the results came in after the paper was put to bed. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
It’s not exactly Florida, but Cook County has some election recounts of its own.
A recount of city council ballots cast in the November 6 election was held, and after it was all done, Anton Moody was declared the winner of a four-year term.
Craig Schulte requested the recount. The county will pay the expense for the recount because it was within the one-half of one percent of the margin of error as outlined in the election guidelines.
Only one vote separated Grand Marais city council incumbent Anton Moody and Schulte.
Voters were given a choice to select two out of three candidates who were running for a four-year city council term. When the ballots were counted, Kelly Swearingen, who was appointed to the city council this past summer to fill Tracy Benson’s slot, garnered 443 votes while Moody received 344 and Schulte picked up 343.
The recount was held Thursday, November 15 at the courthouse building under the supervision of Cook County Auditor/ Treasurer Braidy Powers. Counting the votes, said Powers, would be his staff. “They’re here, and they are the most qualified,” added Powers.
Meanwhile, Grand Marais city administrator Mike Roth called Pete Greszcyk’s election to city council into question.
Following his win over current city councilor Jonathan Steckelberg, Roth informed Pete that it was illegal for him to be a city councilor while doing business with the city. That opinion came from the city’s attorney, Chris Hood.
Greszcyk, who is the owner of G& Septic Service, is involved in an ongoing bid contract to haul the sludge from the City of Grand Marais to Duluth.
When he learned the news, Gresczyk announced he was recusing himself from the election. However, a later call to Gresczyk from Roth on Tuesday, November 13, seemed to indicate that Pete could still serve, although more information has to be learned to see if that indeed is possible.
Jonathan Steckelberg received 344 votes to Gresczyk’s 368 votes. If Pete can’t take a seat at the council, Steckelberg would be offered the two-year term. If he declined, the council could advertise for someone else to step forward for consideration.
County board
After falling just five votes short in the Cook County Commissioner District 5 race, Bruce Martinson asked for a recount. Because he is just outside of the percentage allowed, Martinson will pay for the recount, said Powers.
Current west end cook county commissioner and county board chair Ginny Storlie received 322 votes to Martinson’s 317 votes. Last time around Storlie beat Martinson by eight votes.
Powers the commissioner recount would happen after the city council tally was learned. That came, unfortunately, after the paper was put to bed.
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