The race for a city council seat in Waynesboro is not quite over. One challenger who came up short by less than two-dozen votes is asking for a recount, and that process began Wednesday.
Ward A Councilman Tim Williams appeared to have earned a third term after the results of the Waynesboro municipal election last week, but his margin of victory over challenger Jim Serba was just 22 votes. So the election will be ultimately be decided in the courtroom.
Serba filed a recount petition with the Waynesboro Circuit Court. During a preliminary hearing, Wednesday Judge Humes Franklin and Registrar Lisa Wooten took the first steps in that effort.
A three-judge panel will oversee the recount. The recount will be handled by two teams of poll workers and witnessed by representatives for each candidate.
Serba said, "I just want to make sure that it's accurate and get some closure out of it. I just want it to be done."
Williams stated, "It's certainly Mr. Serba's right. It was within the parameter for a recount vote. But I think - like many - I could find better things to do with my time right now."
The Williams - Serba race was decided by less than one-half of a percent so the city of Waynesboro will pay for the recount. The registrar says that bill should be less than $1,000.
Scheduling a single date for three active judges means the recount may not happen for another week or two.
Judge Franklin told the candidates that the recount will be conducted with "total and absolute transparency."
