Bellamy-Small asks for recount, releases statement

Long-serving Greensboro Councilwoman Dianne Bellamy-Small is asking for a recount in her District 1 loss to Sharon Hightower at the behest of her constituents, she said in a press release this morning.

Hightower narrowly defeated Bellamy-Small in Tuesday's general election, winning with a mere 15 votes. There were 14 write-in votes in the district and the number did not reflect provisional ballots, but Guilford County Elections Director Charlie Collicutt said at the time that there were too few provisionals to change the  result. A losing candidate can call for a recount if the gap between the turnout numbers is 1 percent or less, Collicutt said. In this year's Greensboro City Council races, that only applies to District 1. 

Here is Bellamy-Small's full press release:

"T. Dianne Bellamy-Small has served District 1 for the past 10 years with dignity, respect, hard work, responsiveness and honor. The body of work that I have been able to accomplish with the professional support of city staff and the community speaks for itself. Being and elected official, who is a change agent and a stoker, has been demanding, challenging and a rewarding experience.

The request for the recount was made at the request of my constituents and I respect them enough to ask for this process. As I have said from the beginning of my service, I serve at the will of the people. I wish the new council well and hope that they will respect all the people they now serve and not themselves. The fact that I attempted to befriend and mentor the new District 1 representative meant that I had the greater capacity to look beyond someone’s faults and see his or her needs. I have encouraged,  mentored and befriended many others successfullly over the years.  District 1 need to have the best leadership possible and I hope that with the new council they will get what they deserve.

The concerns for District 1 and the city are not about whether one likes someone, but about getting out and doing the job for the greater good of our citizens. And finally, I want to thank all of my supporters. They should be proud of what we have accomplished over the last 10 years. Thank you."

If the results stand, Hightower will be one of two new candidates joining the city council. Jamal Fox, 25, upended District 2 Councilman Jim Kee. All other incumbents held their seat except for Mayor Robbie Perkins, who lost to At-large Councilwoman Nancy Vaughan. Former councilman Mike Barber, who last served in 2009, was elected to the at-large seat left vacant by Vaughan.