Crystal City Council Candidates Face Historic Recount
Candidates for Crystal’s Ward 3 council race are currently separated by one vote. It’s something that hasn’t happened in Crystal in recent history.
John Budziszewski, the incumbent candidate, currently has 1,129 votes. Wade Girard trails him by just one vote, at 1,128 votes. Girard asked the city for a recount, which it will pay for.
“I owe it to the people that voted for me, I think, to take advantage of the recount that’s available to us,” Girard said.
When voters went to the ballot boxes last Tuesday, none of them likely expected it to end quite like this.
“You’re always surprised, you know. Being that the election is so close, it’s even more exciting,” Budziszewski said. “I thought it was a very competitive race from the get-go. I thought Wade was a really good candidate.”
If Budziszewski holds his win, this will be his fourth term on the council. If Girard wins, he would be a newcomer to the council.
“My reaction is just kind of humbled by the turnout of voters for me,” Girard said. “And how appreciative I am to get that kind of result from the residents in Crystal.”
Budziszewski said in his memory, this election is historic.
“I’ve never done a recount before,” he said. “It’s been over 30 years since there’s one done in Crystal– so it’s been a long time.”
Budziszewski talks about his future plans, if elected.
Each candidate has some similarities and differences. Girard said he has a special interest in Twin Lake because he lives on it and sees the effects of waste runoff into the body of water.
“One thing I want to do for sure is implement the adopt-a-storm-drain program, which allows neighbors to adopt a storm drain that they will take care of and they clean,” Girard said. “And also do markings on all the storm sewers to indicate they go to waterways and lakes and streams.”
Girard also opposes the light rail.
Girard discusses some of his plans for the city, including goals for the city’s bodies of water.
Budziszewski said he hopes to continue much of the work the council’s been doing, including finishing out its work on the pool. He also hopes to work on the city’s budget.
“We are working on a long-range plan for the city, to make sure we are more cost-effective,” Budziszewski said.
Both have also shared an interest in improving shopping centers in Crystal.
CCX has not heard back from the city on when that recount is set to be completed.
