Defeated candidate ponders recount

Press, 20 October 1980, Page 6

Defeated candidate ponders recount

“It has been- a long, hard fight,” said Mr G. L. Freeman yesterday after losing the struggle for the Waimairi County Council’s Marshland Riding seat by only 14 votes. Mr Freeman, a berryfruit grower and real estate agent, was beaten by Mr-D. B. Rich, a sitting councillor for five terms and the council’s chairman: The final result was: Rich, 510; Mr Freeman, 496; informal, 8. Mr Rich’s electionnight majority, before the special votes, were, counted, was 17.

Yesterday,- Mr Freeman was still 'trying to decide whether to lodge an inquiry application wiln the returning officer, go for a recount supervised by a judge, or to drop the whole matter. “It is hard to know which way to go,” he said. “The main concern at this stage is the cost of a recount. It is quite expensive. “I have had a hard fight because of diehards who have stuck to the same representative for. 15 years, and I have

spent a lot of money, all my own,” he said. “Anyway, I have to decide whether I really want to be on the council afterwards. I wonder if I am not in a bet-

ter position than Mr Rich, who will represent 4000 people on only 14 votes.” Mr Freeman said, he had been filmost certain "of a victory, and felt that he should pursue the seat. He supported attempts by the news media to get information during the week and said that the count had been unnecessarily drawn out. To check one vote, a trip had been made to Blenheim rather than use the telephone, he said. Mr Rich said he was very pleased that the people in the riding had supported him, but he was disappointed at the small poll which,- had contributed along with the tough campaign, to the narrow margin. ■