WOODLAND — The “2” facing up on the Woodland High gym floor declared Scott Perry to be Woodland’s next councilman.
But, as even Perry noted, there were no losers Wednesday morning after a coin flip decided his deadlocked council race with fellow 70-year-old political newcomer Robert Ripp.
Sure, Perry won the four-year term, but Ripp could also be considered a winner because he did not have to worry about fixing the city’s budget, Perry told students. Students also won because they learned about the importance of a single vote.
Perry and Ripp each tallied 569 votes apiece, according to recounts performed Monday in Clark and Cowlitz counties, where votes were cast. State law requires a coin flip to occur if a tie remains following a recount. Woodland School District officials requested the coin flip take place at the high school.
The tiebreaker occurred around 11:20 a.m. Student Body President Morgan Kinnear did the honors. Seconds later, once Perry realized he had won, he shook Ripp’s hand and smiled. Neither man showed much outward emotion otherwise.
“After working on the budget the last five weeks, I’m not too sure he’s not really the winner,” Perry told students, teachers and city officials packed into the gym.
‘Now the work begins’
Perry, a retired real estate broker, will be sworn in during the Dec. 19 council meeting.
“It’s always a pleasure to win,” he told reporters after students filed out of the gym for lunch. “Now the work begins.”
For his part, Ripp, a retired business owner, did not sound too crushed.
“We’re both capable of doing the job so I’m not disappointed with Scott winning and me losing,” he said following the ceremony. He noted afterward he considered both men winners due to the race’s closeness.
The two told students they regretted not campaigning harder following the primary election.
Ripp earned 55 percent of the primary vote, and thus did not think he needed to canvass for votes. Perry only obtained 33 percent, and thus thought he had no chance.
Cowlitz County last hosted a coin flip in 2001, for a fire district commissioner’s race, elections Supervisor Carolyn Myers said.
The event’s rarity motivated school officials to host it at the high school. The coin flip would have otherwise been held at the Cowlitz County Auditor’s Office in Kelso.
‘Real world connection’
Holding the event at the high school offered students a “real world connection” to the importance of voting and also created a special environment for the candidates, Principal John Shoup said. Officials also handed out voter registration forms to between 25 to 30 students, he added.
The assembly included a rendition of the national anthem and recognition of the 70th anniversary on Wednesday of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Perry and Ripp each made brief statements to students.
When a school official asked how many students were 18, a smattering of hands lifted. When those students were asked how many voted in this fall’s election, Brianne Koering hurriedly raised her hand. Her face beamed. The other raised hands lowered. Koering said she did not think many of her classmates had voted, but was surprised she was the only one.
“It was really neat that it came down to a coin toss,” Koering said, noting she was slightly disappointed because she voted for “Bob” Ripp.
Kinnear flipped the special coin, which had a “1” on one side and a “2” on the other. The candidates were assigned a number based on their positioning on the ballot. Officials did not use a traditional quarter due to potential confusion over who called heads or tails, Myers said.
Kinnear described his task as an “honor” and said it was “special” that the coin flip was held at Woodland High.
“It creates more awareness,” the 17-year-old senior said. “People think ‘ah, it’ just one vote.’ You find out in this case, it really does matter.”
Freshman McKenzie Collins, 14, said she felt anxiety as the coin spun in the air.
“I think it’s better to vote than leave the vote to chance,” she reflected.
Sam Anderson, 18, registered to vote, but did not vote in the Woodland race because he lives outside the city. Wednesday’s coin flip reinforced the need to vote.
“It was interesting,” he said of the coin flip, “and a good way to show kids voting does count.”
Ray Legendre: 360-735-4517; www.facebook.com/raylegend; www.twitter.com/col_smallcities; ray.legendre@columbian.com
