Recount scheduled in mayoral race in Blackduck

BLACKDUCK – With only one candidate on the ballot, one would think that the race for the mayor’s seat in Blackduck would have been a cake walk. Not so.

That race was close so Tuesday there will be a recount to decide which candidate will prevail – current Blackduck councilman Cory Veazey or write-in candidate Megan Gustafson.
In an e-mail sent from Blackduck City Administrator Karin Elhard, she explained the recount.
“It has been recommended by our city attorney and the county auditor’s office to hold a recount for the Blackduck mayoral race,” she said.
The recount will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Beltrami County Administration building.
Elhard said that during the recount, two Blackduck election judges – herself and Dianna Thurlow – would conduct the recount with the Auditor’s office advising. Both candidates will receive an invitation to attend the recount as well.
According to the Minnesota Secretary of State website, Veazey had received 121 votes while there were 125 write-in votes. Gustafson received the majority of the write-in votes – enough to hold a recount.
Because of the recount of the ballots for the mayoral race, Blackduck Mayor Daryl Lundberg canceled Friday’s special meeting to canvas results and rescheduled it for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Along with the mayor’s seat, Mary Loeken and Rudy Patch were elected to the city council.
Voters also selected four people to the Blackduck School Board: Cynthia Nord, Robert Klug Jr., Grant Mistic and Donna Stroeing.
In addition, Blackduck School District voters approved two bond issues:
-- By a 1,017-849 margin, residents authorized up to $635,000 in general obligation school building bonds for the purchase and improve school sites and facilities.
-- By a 944-910 tally, voters approved up to $105,000 for bonds to the purchase of skill enhancing materials for students, the Read 180 Program, Smartboards and computers.