Recount confirms Rick Ford's victory
by Spencer Crawford/The Villa Rican
9 months ago | 1155 views | 2 2 comments | 15 15 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Voter Registration Coordinator Janice Duff, left, Board of Elections Chairman James Gamble and Elections Supervisor Patti Brown-Traylor count the paper absentee ballots Tuesday before running them through the machine to be scanned during a recount of the Temple mayoral election.
Voter Registration Coordinator Janice Duff, left, Board of Elections Chairman James Gamble and Elections Supervisor Patti Brown-Traylor count the paper absentee ballots Tuesday before running them through the machine to be scanned during a recount of the Temple mayoral election.
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A recount of the ballots cast in last week’s Temple mayoral election upheld Mayor Rick Ford’s 3-vote victory over Lester Harmon, but the saga could continue in Carroll County Superior Court.

Election Supervisor Patti Brown-Traylor and members of the Carroll County Board of Elections held a recount Tuesday because Ford’s margin of victory was less than 1 percent. The recount consisted of again running through the votes on computer memory cards from election night, as well as the early voting memory card ballots that were cast in the Office of Elections and Registration. Brown-Traylor had said prior to the recount that if there was a discrepancy between the final results and the recount results it would likely be in the 29 paper absentee ballots that were mailed to her office due to being run through the scanner at the wrong angle or the markings not being dark enough to be detected. However, those results came out exactly the same as they did last week.

The results of the recount — 304 votes for Ford and 301 for Harmon — were recertified Tuesday.

“Since the results were basically done electronically except for the absentee ballots, I sort of expected no change (from the recount), but you just never know because anyone is subject to making an error,” Ford said. “I just want to thank Patti Brown and her people for their due diligence because the challenges and the recount have really put a burden on them and I appreciate their efforts.”

Harmon, a former Temple mayor who lost his seat to Ford four years ago, also said he wasn’t surprised at the results of the recount. In fact, he said his only surprise was that Ford didn’t pick up more votes.

“I actually expected him to pick up some after dealing with these people, but I’m well pleased that we only ended up with a 3-vote difference,” he said.

Harmon now has the option to officially challenge the election results in Carroll County Superior Court within five days. Since the fifth day is on Sunday, Brown-Traylor said the Office of the Secretary of State informed her the challenge window would be extended until Monday.

Harmon wouldn’t commit Tuesday to whether he would file a challenge in Superior Court, only saying that he was “pretty sure” that would be his next move.

“We’re working on stuff (for a challenge) as we speak,” he said.

Ford said any further challenge by Harmon is out of his hands and he’ll treat it as a part of the election process.

“At this point in the process, I feel like the people of Temple have spoken and I would like to encourage Mr. Harmon and his supporters to work with us and let’s join hands to move the city of Temple forward,” he said.
comments (2)
« The1BlackKingKobra9 wrote on Saturday, Nov 14 at 12:23 AM »
Harmon don't give up the fight. Since the election HELL has been unleashed on Temple City PD employees. Both Police Lieutenants are getting targeted because they were hired under your administration. One LT was forced to give up his Dodge patrol car he as driven for 2 years to the NEW Capt over Patrol because new Capt needs a better ride. NO crown vic for him! Like the PD needs another administrative supervisor doing nothing but sitting around the office mon-fri 8 to 5 while night shift officers are working the streets alone. Does anyone at Temple care about officers safety? Chief? Mayor? What about when the officer has to leave the city unattended? Guess no one cares or Carroll Co. will pick up the slack if they have a deputy in the area. Chief is bringing in his buddies from Paulding Co and putting them in high ranking positions while good veteran officers are being forced out the door because they might be friendly with Harmon or dont write 100 tickets a month. Sorry Temple citizens - the new chief has spoken and all officers working in his kingdom WILL write a BUNCH of tickets OR find other jobs. When you find yourself on the side of the road signing the yellow copy please dont take out your hate on the street officers which are just doing what the great king has ordered to keep THEIR JOBS. Voice your complaints to mayor Ford and council who put the great king in his kingdom.

« Yin-Yang wrote on Thursday, Nov 12 at 02:25 PM »
Since I've become a resident of Temple I have seen how this city is divided. In the beginning I heard all about the so called "Hell raisers", I sat back for over a year and listened and watched and to be honest I felt that many of the issues addressed by these so called "Hell Raisers" were very important and justifiable I think had these opinions and investigations been brought on by the current leaders of our city they would have been respected and considered important and most importantly factual as they have always been to be. I recall the many times I had conversations with our leaders in regards to our community growth and improvement these conversations would quickly become words of excuses as to why we could not move forward it was always the "Hell raisers"! We've had our election and no we will not move on.....I have seen no growth in Temple since I got here. Our children have seen no growth, where oh where are the walking trails, biking trails, parks for our elementary students? we are soon to have another elementary school open where do these kids go for their picnic lunches or safe walks with their families. There are no sidewalks. Our subdivisions were planned and approved under Mayor Harmon who required we have green space and recreation. Court records show approved plat maps that show PUD which is the abbreviation for Planned Urban Development. Mayor Rick Ford allowed the developers to come in strip the lands and walk away with no recourse. We can't change court papers we can't say that these are lies. It's factual. So would someone please tell me where the growth is not only for the city but for our children. The rec dept should not be our only offerings to our community. What about a library, game room, aquatics center or a small water play area for little ones like all the other communities. In fact the citizens of Temple pay more taxes than any other city in Carroll county. What about art programs especially because it's been taken out of our failing schools. These community artists could probably help spruce up the downtown (FREE) Has anyone looked at the local school scores they've plummeted severly in the past few years.They are classified as failing schools by the state of Georgia. These same kids have to hear our local politicians refer to there homes in a derogatory manor just because they can live in a trailer park. It sickens me that these same people preach christianity. It is very sad. I volunteer in our schools and I see these children that are feeling the effects of our economy and their own city has made rude comments and shunned them because of the home they live in. I know about the back pack program and that is a great start but this city could do so much more just by watching their tongues. Mental and social abuse is by far much worst than feeling hunger after school hours. Think before you speak and remember it takes a village to raise a child. Imagine what that million dollars could have done for the youth of Temple, instead it was wasted time and time again with the two signatures that matter most in a city like Temple The Mayor Rick Ford and the second signature City of Temple Chief of Police. Mayor Rick Ford recently stated in the Times Georgian that he was not aware that these monies could be used in other areas of our community. That is a pathetic excuse. He is the MAYOR!!! He has to know for the benefits of his community that he serves. Well he did know what line to sign to waste all of it. Does anyone just sign their name to a legal tender without first educating themselves? Why be a mayor if you don't know how. We are so sick of the apologies and excuses. I know that I wouldn't dump my trash near my water source so why did the mayor dump his at the city water site! One more thing, my deciding vote for Lestor Harmon was sealed when I heard Mayor Rick Ford disrespectfully degrade and threaten one of our fine police officers because he thought he had a smirk on his face when one of the "Hell Raisers" spoke at a City Council meeting. I would hope that everyone has the opportunity to hear this cd it shows how pure evil is running our city. In my entire life I have never heard a person speak to another like he did that officer. I have actually had nightmares from it. I pray to our lord that no one else will have to endure such evil words. I commend the officer that has held his head high and has removed those horrid words from is soul and that he didn't absorb the brutality that our Mayor was cramming down his throat. This fine Officer has a beautiful family and could look to the source of evil and remove himself from it. I applaud you. I personally if I had been spoken to like that well let's just say Rick wouldn't have had a chance to run in this past election.