It is finally final.

Wednesday, November 28, 2001

It is finally final. After a recount of four local races last night, the Lawrence County Board of Elections is finished with General Election 2001. Those recounted were Elizabeth, Rome and Upper Township trustees races and the Proctorville Village Council race.

Two races in the county resulted in a change of winners from the preliminary count. That was in Upper Township where Robert Ackerman won a trustee seat over Lindsey Pemberton and in the village of Proctorville where Rose Holland won over Raymond Shephard.

The unofficial count on election day had Pemberton winning by eight votes. After the walk-ins were tallied for the official count, Ackerman had overtaken Pemberton by one vote. Last night’s final count declared Ackerman the victor by two votes.

In the Proctorville Village Council race, Shephard held a one-vote lead after the preliminary count. The official count turned the tide as Holland led by one vote. Last night’s recount certified Holland’s one-vote victory.

In Elizabeth Township, Roy Mullins was declared the winner over Ricky Markell by the same two-vote margin he held after the unofficial count.

Mark Bailey bettered J.B. Finlay in Rome Township by 10 votes, four votes less of a lead he had after the preliminary count on Nov. 6.

Tuesday’s recount was dictated by state law. In any races where there is a margin of one half of one percent of votes cast in the particular race or less, an automatic recount is required.

Board of Elections director Mary Wipert said the recounts generally take place in local races, such as trustees, councils and boards of education.