Helen Easley loses by two votes.
The old adage is that every vote counts. That proved to be particularly true Tuesday night in Rocheport as Todd Schapira was elected Ward One alderman by two votes.
It was the second election for the board seat this year after the April election ended in a tie. Then, the two candidates, Schapira and Helen Easley, each received 19 votes. Tuesday’s final tally was 21 to 19.
Wendy Noren of the Boone County Clerk’s office said ties in small-town elections are common because most of the community participates.
Easley said she was disappointed with Tuesday’s loss but already is planning to run again next year.
“We’ll just have to see what the next year brings,” she said. “We’ll see if the city council is able to do anything this year.”
Rocheport resident Steve Baumgartner participated in both elections. He voted for Schapira but said either candidate would have done a good job.
“I voted for Todd; he has previous experience working with the council,” he said. “Todd might have more knowledge (on) how to use tax money to fix the roads.”
Schapira, who was the incumbent, said he is glad to have a chance to continue his work on the board of aldermen.
“I really enjoy working on the city council,” he said. “We get along pretty well — there’s good synergy. I’m glad to be able to keep doing that.”
Ward One in Rocheport has
a population near 100, which means that about 40 percent
of those eligible to vote participated in Tuesday’s election.
“I didn’t think it was going to be a lopsided victory,” Schapira said. “I didn’t see it coming out 30 to 10. I didn’t think there was going to be one thing to sway people one way or the other.”