Linda Jackson Keeps Vaughan Mayor’s Chair

It is the end of a long and very bitter battle in the City Above Toronto.

And the winner – again – is: Linda Jackson.

The challenger who beat incumbent Michael DiBiase in the November election by just 90 votes, survived a court ordered recount Thursday, in a saga that has divided the city for months.

DiBiase was sure something was wrong after some 1,600 ballots that weren’t counted were discovered at a polling place on Election Night. There were also questions raised about the electronic tabulating machines, although the city clerk insisted all were working fine.

But DiBiase refused to accept that assessment, arguing there were many too many unanswered questions.

To the consternation of many voters, he took his case to a judge, who ordered a second look at the disputed documents.

It took two days to go through them all, but in the end Jackson emerged with her victory intact, an outcome she’d long predicted.

The final result is an irony lost on few – she maintained her win by the same 90 votes that sparked the controversy in the first place.

Electronic voting machines were used in the recount – like they were on election night – but with one crucial difference. This time, they were programmed to spit out some 1,600 paper ballots that were processed but silently rejected and counted as blank, so they could be examined by scrutineers.

The recount cost taxpayers at least $200,000, creating bitter divisions among the populous.

But Jackson was all smiles after the final result came in just after 2pm.

“We are thrilled,” she admits. “I guess that truly third is a charm and we’re very pleased today. We’re hoping now we can finally move on. This has been a very tough for all of us since November 13th not only for myself, my family, for the staff here at the City of Vaughan and for the residents. It’s been very tough.”

DiBiase immediately contacted Jackson and congratulated her on the victory and claims he’s satisfied with the results.

“I’d like to congratulate Linda Jackson, and I wish her success in all her endeavours,” he told reporters.

“The other thing I want to say is that I’m very happy that Judge Howden did rule to have a recount, because as a result of a recount there were about 2,000-plus ballots that had an opportunity to be considered, and you can see that the votes are considerably more.

“So there were a lot of voters that were disenfranchised, and now at least their vote counted.”

The reaction in Vaughan shows that while many are still divided over the issue, almost everyone is simply happy it’s finally been put to rest.

“I think the city needs to move on,” concedes Frank Lacaria. “I ‘m not sure the best person won but the city needs to move on.”

“The recount — there may have been an issue that had to be resolved,” agrees Phil Schepis.

But there’s another common sentiment expressed by Grace Mastroianni. “I think it was unnecessary to spend all that money for the recount,” she declares.  

Previous reports indicated DiBiase had no plans to appeal the decision, but he refused to comment on that pledge. He has 15 days to file for another look.

Jackson hopes he can now “move on” and there are indications he may have plans to do just that.

“I will probably go back to teaching,” he speculates, before adding, “teaching municipal law.”

The Final Numbers:

Jackson: 28,419

DiBiase: 28,351

Total Number Recounted: 1,600

Blank: 1,322

Disputed Ballots Not Counted: 49