A random draw of a slip of paper has decided the winner of the Democratic nominee for the post of Empire Township treasurer.

Bob Price will be the only candidate for the post appearing on the November General Election ballot. He and incumbent treasurer Cheryl Manning were called to the county clerk’s office Tuesday afternoon to determine a winner of the Primary election in which Manning and Price garnered the exact same number of votes — 90. A third candidate, Jenny Munten, had 30.

Crocker placed two pieces of colored paper in a wooden box, one read “nominated”— the other, “not nominated.” Price suggested Manning draw first and he followed. Manning’s head dropped as she read the paper which determined that Price had won the draw.

Crocker said Manning has until noon Sunday to request a recount of the Aug. 7 Primary election. As she left the clerk’s office Tuesday, Manning said she’d “think about it.”

However, an irregularity in ballot distribution in the township may rule out such a possibility. The decision would be made by the county Board of Canvassers, which completed its canvass last week.

Price is likely to be the only candidate for township treasurer on the ballot in Empire. There was no Republican candidate for the post.

— by Amy Hubbell