Greenwood finally recounts ballots — no changes made — winners stand
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018 — Mike Couri, attorney for Greenwood Township, conducted a recount of ballots in the Greenwood Township supervisors seat 3, and seat 5 elections. Following Clerk Sue Drobac’s failed attempts to recount the ballots the township chose to bring in its attorney to conduct the recount.
No challenges were made on any ballot during Friday’s recount. No changes were made and the final election counts remain the same as was reported, following the election, at the annual Greenwood Town Meeting on March 13.
The town clerk originally scheduled a recount to be conducted on Tuesday March 20, but canceled it before it began saying that she “inadvertently” did not inform some of the candidates about the recount. In fact she neglected to inform the winners that a recount was going to be conducted. A second recount was scheduled for April 3, but that too was abruptly stopped by the town clerk when she became upset when Jeff Peterson asked if she would be following the 2016 Minnesota Secretary of State recount guidelines. The clerk never answered Peterson and instead stoped the recount when prompted by Mark Drobac, her husband. Peterson has been representing Byron Beihoffer whose election win is being challenged by John Bassing. The recount was again rescheduled, this time for 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 6.
Shortly before one o’clock citizens began arriving at the townhall to watch the recount. Everyone was provided copies of the 2016 Secretary of State Recount Guidelines to assist them in following the procedures. At the onset of the recount Couri explained that he had been involved with one previous recount and that his research of Minnesota Statutes confirmed that the procedures outlined in the 2016 Minnesota Secretary of State Recount Guide closely followed all state statutes on recounts and that it was the law in Minnesota. He told everyone in attendance that since it followed Minnesota law for all recounts, large or small, it is the guide which will be used for the two recounts currently before Greenwood Township.
The room was previously prepared with tables and seating as outlined in the 2016 Recount Guide. There were places for the judges, candidates and representatives so they could observe all of the proceedings, including the opening of all sealed envelopes containing the ballots and election documents for the election of Seat 3, occupied by Larry Tahija and challenged by John Bassing and election for Seat 5, between Byron Beihoffer and Rick Stoehr.
The township attorney was careful to explain the procedures and outline the steps required by the 2016 Recount Guide. When Clerk Drobac began to open the ballot box, Byron Beihoffer asked, “Aren’t we allowed to come up and watch the opening?” just as his representative Jeff Peterson inquired at the previous count before it was shut down.
“You are right,” Couri said as he had the Clerk stop opening the ballot box and invited the candidates and representatives to join them at the table. Couri’s presence, affable friendlyness, professional and straightforward procedure was reassuring following the tense weeks of uncertainty in Greenwood Township.
Couri acknowledged that his partner, Robert T. Ruppe, had cautioned Greenwood Town Clerk against using Mary Richard as a recount judge because of her active public support of Bassing and Stoehr, the two candidates who lost the election and requesting the recount. Because the ballots were reviewed in front of each candidate, their representatives, and the public the recounts proceeded smoothly. Each recount proceeded in an organized fashion under Couri’s guidance and direction with Clerk Drobac reviewing each ballot, in front of the judges, candidates and representatives. The judges piled ballots in piles of 25 ballots, according to the vote on the ballot, and a separate pile for the blanks, and thus the votes were tallied in accordance of state law. There were no challenges of voter intent on any ballot and in the end there were no changes to vote totals. The counts remained as presented at the Annual Greenwood Town Meeting.
Township Supervisor, seat 3— Three year term
Larry Tahija . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 (winner)
Dr. John Bassing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Township Supervisor, seat 5 — Three year term
Byron Beihoffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 (winner)
Rick Stoehr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Asked to comment following the recount, Jeff Peterson, representing Brian Breihoffer in the recount said, “On behalf of Byron Beihoffer and myself we would like to thank Greenwood’s attorney, Mr, Couri for the way he setup, explained, allowed everyone to express concerns, suggestions and his professionalism in overseeing the recount following Minnesota state law according to the 2016 Recount Guide prepared by the Minnesota Secretary of State.