North Adams Transcript

NORTH ADAMS -- Get ready for round two.

Former City Councilor Keith Bona, who lost on election night to newcomer David Lamarre by three votes, is asking for a recount.

"He's now within two votes," City Clerk Marilyn Gomeau confirmed Thursday afternoon. "One of the provisional ballots that qualified fell in his favor. A recount could change his votes, but it could also change everyone else as well. It's highly unlikely anyone would go down -- the numbers in that race would go up."

Bona, who originally said he would not pursue a recount, changed his mind after learning of the extra vote in his favor and of more than 11,000 blank votes cast in the council race -- some of which could become valid votes during a recount.

"Originally, I was OK with the way things turned out and had wished that it was by at least 25 votes," he said. "I also talked to a lot of the candidates, including Al Marden, who said if they were in my position, that they'd call for a recount.