With recount confirmation, Christina Drummond ready for role on Powell City Council

Following a recount necessitated by the closeness of the initial vote tally, Christina Drummond has been confirmed as the next new member of Powell City Council.

Regardless of the recount, the council would have at least one new member, with four seats open and only three incumbents on the ballot – Frank Bertone, Tom Counts and Bryan Lorenz, with Melissa Riggins opting not to seek reelection – plus challengers Drummond and Leif Carlson.

Christina Drummond
Christina Drummond

Initial election results showed the incumbents as the top three vote-getters – Lorenz with 2,443 votes for 24.45%, Bertone with 2,245 (22.47%) and Counts with 2,022 (20.24%).

More: Forthcoming capital-improvements plan will outline Powell residents' 'return on investment'

Those same results showed Drummond with 1,646 votes (16.48%) and Carlson with 1,634 (16.36%), and a difference of 0.5% or less triggers an automatic recount, according to Liz Charbonneau with the Delaware County Board of Elections.

The recount's results were certified by the board Nov. 30, deputy director Anthony Saadey said.

Drummond is ready to get to work at the start of 2022.

“I look forward to adding my coalition-development, data-policy and policy-analysis experience to (council),” she told ThisWeek.

More: Powell council race features three incumbents, two challengers for four seats

Drummond said she believes her “data-based approach to planning and focus on strategic partnerships to pursue common interests” resonated with Powell voters, adding she intends to bring those skills and experiences to work on the already-started capital-improvement-plan process.

“Powell's developing capital improvement plan will impact the partnerships, fundraising and project prioritization that occurs over my coming term,” she said. “During the first part of 2022, I look forward to ensuring that our CIP decision-making process is both evidence-based and factors in the strategic directions of Liberty Township.

“I also look forward to advocating for trail interconnections and maintenance while exploring ways to foster local performing arts,” Drummond said.

ThisWeek reporter Paul Comstock contributed to this story.

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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Recount confirms: Christina Drummond ready for role on Powell council