Ward 4 Recount Saturday

2,299 people came to the polls in Ward 4 back on November 3rd to cast votes for Ward 4 Councilor. And, as it turns out... only 1 vote really mattered!

Incumbent City Councilor Bob Driscoll received 1,150 votes while challenger, and political newcomer, Jeff Grayson received 1,149 votes.


The next time someone tells you that their vote doesn't matter in this world... send them to Ward 4.

In a race this close it is almost a requirement to have a recount of the ballots to assure that the will of the people is accurately carried out. I was quite glad to see BOTH candidates step up to ask for an official recount of this election. And while it was certainly expected of Mr. Grayson, it was quite the classy move by longtime Councilor Driscoll.

The recount will be done by hand and it will have witnesses (and lawyers) from both sides present. I can only predict with absolute certainty that City Clerk Tim Spanos will continue to do the excellent job that is his trademark for his many years at City Hall.

The Salem News: Recount in Ward 4 Councilor race scheduled for Saturday
Peabody News: Despite thin margin in Ward 4, lackluster turnout at the polls

Now for my opinion.

I absolutely hope that when the votes are rechecked that Mr. Grayson emerges as the winner of the election. This is not because I dislike Councilor Driscoll, because I do not. I just feel that Councilor Driscoll has had his time at the helm, and while he has never really done anything to harm Ward 4, he has not been the tireless and PRO-ACTIVE advocate for Ward 4 that I believe Mr. Grayson will be.

I spoke with both candidates during the election season and I must say that I was wholeheartedly impressed by Mr. Grayson and his energy for Ward 4 AND the rest of the City. He has a vision and new ideas and a huge desire to get to work and try and solve some of these lingering problems faced by the City of Peabody.

Now, Councilor Driscoll has been trying to deal with these same (and evolving) problems the City faces for 22 years. He has needed to come to terms with the knowledge that many times there is just NOTHING that can be done because of the situation, politics, money, connections - you name it! Something always gets in the way of true progress.

Mr. Grayson has not yet been forced to face these (perhaps insurmountable?) problems. And he may indeed find that when confronted with them, he too will eventually find no way to solve them and can only do his best to more for small incremental improvements - all the while desiring great changes.

But he is not yet jaded by the fight or cowed by the enormity of the job. For these reasons I would like to see his new spirit unleashed on the City Council in the hopes that he might be the spark to reinvigorate this flagging body... as well as the community they serve.