Houston

to seat new city council

By SCOTT CHRISTIANSEN - Frontiersman reporter

HOUSTON-- Incumbent council member Mike Markiel, who filed to contest the Houston City Council election, said a new council will likely be seated tonight.

Markiel's challenge stopped the winners from taking their council seats, and triggered an investigation of the election by city clerk Daleann Pond.

Markiel trails Cliff Moore in the race for Seat D by one vote, 79 to 80. In the race for Seat C, challenger Dannie O'Brien leads incumbent Angela Rosas 68 to 67. In the race for Seat G, incumbent Dale Adams leads Timothy "T-Bone" Christoffersen 87 to 84. In the race for Seat F, challenger Carl Burnett leads incumbent Kim Kasper 87 to 81.

The only clear mandate from Houston voters was in the race for Seat E. Challenger Ruth Blanchard beat incumbent Jerry Nelsen 103 to 67.

Markiel filed to contest the election after rumors that a free election-day drink was being offered to voters at the Houston Lodge, owned by the Burnett family. Markiel said he did not know if the rumors were true.

" . . . It wouldn't surprise me if she doesn't find anything that can legally be done about it anyway," Markiel said Friday. "I don't want to delay this any further."

Rosas asked for a recount Friday and Markiel asked for one Monday, according to the city clerk's office. Deputy clerk Catherine Bullington expected the recounts to be done today.