By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The only recount requested in last week's general election was completed this morning and the results not only did not change the outcome of the race for the Ward 3 Position 1 spot, the results did not change at all.
According to officials with the St. Francis County Election Commission, numbers from this mornings hand recount, which was requested by Danny Capps, who challenged incumbent Steve Hollowell, mirrored those tabulated by the machines last Tuesday. Hollowell took a 277 to 196 win in the box with 10 undercounted ballots.
In a prepared statement Capps said, "It is a beautiful day. I asked for a hand count in the Civic Center box on the grounds that no one could tell me what was programmed on the disc that tabulated the votes. The Election Commission in my opinion has acted in a very professional manner. It was worth the money that I paid for the recount.
"I would like to congratulate Steve on winning the election and I appreciate the voters who thought I would be the best choice. The recount was important to prove that the system works. I wish Steve a successful two years on the council."
The recount was part of the second meeting of the commission since Tuesday's General Election. In other business, commission chairman Frederick Freeman said that the election could be certified as early as Friday and possibly Monday after he receives an opinion from the Secretary of State's Office. Freeman said that the only question regarding which day the election will be certified revolves around whether Thursday's Veterans Day holiday will be included in the 10 day period needed to certify the election. The time frame also includes any overseas ballots which are received prior to Friday or Monday. In order for the ballots to be counted that are required to have a post date of prior to the election or election day according to St. Francis County Clerk Elizabeth Smith. Freeman said that some overseas ballots have been received by Smith's office and those ballots would be counted on the date that certification was held.
Commissioners also discussed approximately 60 provisional ballots that still have not been reviewed. Commission member Pat Flanagin suggested that the ballots be checked against the voter rolls in Smith's office.
"We are obligated to review the provisional ballots and notify the voter as to the status of their ballots whether their vote was counted. There are some ballots which were improperly packaged which we can't process but this is something that we're going to have to meet again in Elizabeth's office so that we can actually certify whether someone's registered or not," Flanagin said.
According to Freeman problems with software received from ES&S kept an official vote tally for uncontested races from being received. Freeman told commissioners this morning that state officials had notified him that the results would not be needed by statute. Freeman did read a letter from ES&S apologizing for leaving the information off of the chip for the vote tabulator and Freeman said a replacement chip had been received if the commission decided to recount the ballots for the results. Freeman also told the commission that ES&S had been contacted regarding updated software information along with an updated computer for future elections.
"The big headache that we had Tuesday was not with the tabulator. It all revolved around working with antiquated equipment and software. We are working with ES&S to get information on the purchase of new equipment and I will update the commission on that as we move forward," Freeman said.
Questions and complaints from several communities regarding the election may lead to a series of public meetings where election commissioners will field election questions according to Freeman. Flanagin also suggested that commissioners also meet with election workers to better cover provisional ballots for future elections.
On this Thursday, The Forrest City School District will host its fifth annual Veteran's Day program in the Mustang Arena beginning at 10 a.m. The theme for this year's event will be Freedom isn't Free.
"The school district will salute military veterans of all wars and eras by hosting this program on Veteran's Day," said Tammy Siler, who is one of the coordinators of the event. "In honor of the St. Francis County veterans, the program will honor all who have served and are serving our great nation.
"Normal Gilchrest, the Postmaster of the Forrest City Post Office, will serve as the guest speaker for the event," continued Siler. "Mr. Gilchrest is the highest non-commissioned officer in the United States Air Force Reserve in the state of Arkansas."
Siler also stated that other activities will be held during the program.
"The Navy NJROTC will be present in dress uniform to post the colors and the Forrest City High School Concert Band and Concert Choir will sing a song entitled 'A Patriotic Festival.' Four veterans will be inducted into the St. Francis County Veteran's Wall of Honor. Theodore C. "Ted" Parker, Walter Lafayette Meals Jr., Willie Lee Jamison and William R. Lindsey will all be recognized for their courage, commitment and dedication they gave to their country during times of war and conflict."
A returning part of the program, honorary high school diplomas for veterans, will also be held at the program.
"We give the honorary diplomas to veterans who didn't complete their high school education because of service in the armed forces during World War II and the Korean War. St. Francis County veterans who served their country during wartime are true heroes and these diplomas are a way for St. Francis County to say 'thank you' for their service."
Lastly, Siler invited everyone to attend the event.
"We've had a great response from the community for the past four years," stated Siler. "Since we have so many soldiers from the local area overseas right now, we would really like to see a large turnout again this year. We want to show our support for them as well as those who have already served."
An aggravated robbery was reported Saturday by a man who said he was robbed at knifepoint.
Nathan C. Staggs said he was walking past the rear of Wal-Mart, and as he went past the tire and lube section of the store, he was confronted by a man welding a six-to-eight-inch knife.
He said the man robbed him of $15 and then fled.
St. Francis County Circuit Court Clerk Bette Green announced today that criminal plea and arraignment will begin on Friday, Nov. 12, at 9 a.m.
"We will have an alphabetical list of names posted at the breezeway entrance of the courthouse," stated Green. "The list will be posted on Wednesday (Nov. 10). This session will be for those bound over from district court to circuit court. Anyone who is listed and does not appear is subject to a bench warrant being issued for them."
Green also added that Judge Harvey Yates will preside over
this session of court.