The losing mayoral candidates in Melancthon and Mulmur townships could technically seek a judicial review within 14 days, but chances are that Gord Montgomery will remain mayor of Mulmur by a single vote, and Ron Dillman mayor of Melancthon by four ballots.

The Mulmur result might have set a municipal-election record by, first off, giving the win to Paul Mills by one vote, then ending in a tie when the ballots were recounted, and finally giving a 793-792 edge to Mr. Montgomery when an initially rejected envelope was opened to avoid pulling a name out of a hat.

Mr. Horner said candidates affected by the recount results would have 14 days in which to apply for a judicial review. However, Mr. Mills said Monday he was "99.9 per cent certain" he would not pursue such a course.

Oddly, when it appeared the vote on recount was tied 792- 792, Mr. Montgomery would have settled for a flip of a coin but the clerk ruled in favour of checking a previously unopened envelope that bore the sender's initials on the exterior of the secrecy envelope.

It turned out that the envelope contained the deciding ballot in Mr. Montgomery's favour.

In Melancthon, things hadn't been as tight. There, newcomer Ron Dillman led incumbent Deputy Mayor Debbie Fawcett by seven ballots on the initial count, and only 25 per cent of the eligible electors had voted - compared with about 47 per cent in Mulmur.

In the initial count, Mr. Dillman - a first-time candidate - led incumbent deputy mayor Debbie Fawcett by seven votes. On the recount, his lead was reduced to four: 347-343.

Although 711 ballots had been cast in Melancthon, two of those had been unmarked, two others had voted for both mayoral candidates, and 17 had voted for one or more council candidates but not for the mayor, hence there were 690 mayoral votes out of 711 ballots deposited.

Of the Mulmur result, Mr. Mills said he has "no hard feelings. I think the staff did a bangup job. I take my hat off to them." He was happy to have had one term on the council, a threeyear stint in which "I made a difference," he said.

On the possibility of a judicial review, "I'm 99.9 per cent sure I won't pursue it. I don't want it to cost the township any more money."

He said he has no problem with the disputed envelope. "Someone had scotch-taped over the code and put their initials on it. It was quite clear someone wanted to vote."

Mr. Montgomery said he was pleased with the outcome. He said it had been a clean campaign in which he hadn't at any time criticized his opponent in any fashion.

The inaugural meeting of county council is Dec. 14 at 9 a.m. In the townships, it's Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. for Melancthon, and Dec. 5 at 9:30 a.m. in Mulmur.