Zilka Wins Election by 29 Votes

In one of the closest elections in history, council president Greg Zilkabeat incumbent Mayor Karl C. Zuber in the Dec. 6 Zilka watched a comfortable lead dwindle as precinct results began rolling in and eventually claimed the win with a 29-vote lead. Results are not yet certified.

"With 29 votes, we feel comfortable we’ve done it," Zilka said. "With electronic voting, there's not much room for error."

There are still provisional votes that need to be counted.

Zuber conceded that the amount of votes earned by Zilka most likely gave Zilka the win, regardless of outstanding provisional votes. He expressed appreciation that he was elected in 2007.

“I’m thankful I’ve been able to serve for four years,” Zuber said. “I’d like to thank  God and the citizens of Avon Lake for giving me the opportunity. It was always a dream of mine. We did a lot of good things.”

 Zuber said it was too early to determine what his future plans are.

“God will help provide for me.”

Ohio law requires an automatic recount if there is 1/2 of 1 percent differential. With a total of 4,873 votes cast, a differential of 24 votes wold require a recount.

With neither candidate earning more than 50 percent of the votes at the General Election, Nov. 8, Zilka and Zuber were forced to a run off election.  

With 100 percent votes reported: