Schools

Tie-Breaker Election to Be Held at Oysterponds For Board of Ed Candidates

Two BOE candidates tied with 157 votes each.

It's back to the voting booths for Oysterponds residents, as the school district holds a tie-breaker, or "run off," election to decide between two board of education candidates.

District Clerk Susan Forte said the run-off election will be held on June 25 from 3 to 9 p.m.; voters will choose between BOE candidates incumbent Dorothy-Dean Thomas and Betsy Dzenkowski

"A run-off election is held when there is a dead tie," Forte said.
 
The two candidates both garnered 157 in the May 21 election.

The run-off vote must be held within 45 days of the original, Forte said; all normal election procedure applies, with absentee ballots and residents required to register.

Earlier this month, voters approved the Oysterponds 2013-2014 $5.35 million budget by a vote of  160 to 116.

The budget reflects a tax levy decrease of 2.27 percent and a spending decrease of .07 percent.

Residents, however, defeated a proposition to establish a capital reserve fund by a vote of 129 to 136. "It was very close," said Forte.

Drama unfolded in the school district regarding the board of education election on the day of the vote. Charles Squire withdrew two hours before the election, citing personal reasons. Of the remaining four candidates who threw their hats into the proverbial ring, two tied -- with both Dzenkowski and Thomas receiving 157 votes each. Thomas Stevenson received 193 votes; Alison Lyne received 160. A write-in candidate, Thomas Gray, received 7 votes.

"We're so happy the budget passed," Forte said. "That's what it's all about."


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