Councilwoman Bivins should file for a recount

ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.

Longtime Wayland City Councilwoman Tracy Bivins has some important soul searching to do this weekend. After losing a seat on the council by just one vote in Tuesday’s election, she must determine whether or not she will seek a recount.

If it were me, and it isn’t, I would go for it.

It’s like the old saying that it’s worse to regret things you didn’t do than things you did.

Ms. Bivins has served on the City Council for most of the past 11 years, taking a break only when her health force her to step down temporarily. She made a triumphant return in 2020 by appointment and was elected to her two-year seat in 2021.

It certainly was astonishing how the four-way race for three council seats turned out. Only 33 votes separated the top candidate, Steve Stepek with 277, and Bivins with 244. And newcomer Jerry Jansen III polled 245 votes to come in third.

So Ms. Bivins must decide if she really enjoys being on the council enough to fork over $75 for the cost of having a recount conducted. The cost, according to City Manager Josh Eggleston, is $25 per precinct. And the deadline for filing a recount is Monday.

I realize that’s a cost I don’t have to pay. So she has to wrestle with the pros and cons and whether she wants to continue in public service.

At one time she seriously considered stepping down because of differences she had with now-Mayor Jennifer Antel about the Rails to Trails project. I accused her of taking a NIMBY (not in my back yard) stand on the issue.

But it was Antel who encouraged to run again because exploring differences of opinion is good for democratic government.

It’s been more than a few years since. The decision is Tracy’s and Tracy’s alone.

But, for what it’s worth, I say go for it. Don’t let one vote end your career in public service.