By Richard Zowie
Leader Staff Writer

Despite losing out on her re-election bid by only one vote in the August 5 Addison Township primary, current trustee Dr. Christine Sypitkowski has chosen not to ask for a recount.
She finished fifth in the six-person race for the four trustee seats, finishing with 524 votes to fellow incumbent John D. Sutphin’s 525 votes.
Dr. Sypitkowski, who lives in Addison Township and serves as a family practitioner at The Country Doctor Family Practice in Lake Orion, she does not want to put the township through the time and expense of a recount.
‘I can’t see disrupting the whole township to do [a recount],? she said. ‘It seems like it would cost the township a lot of unnecessary expense. I’m trusting that things were done appropriately.?
The doctor added, she considers Sutphin a ‘good man.?
Also winning re-election was incumbent Ed Brakefield. Newcomers John Boehmer (who garnered the most votes at 616) and Linda Gierak also were voted in as trustees.
In elections and important decisions, one vote can make all the difference in the world. The first U.S. President to be impeached, Andrew Johnson, barely survived removal from office (the U.S. Senate’s 35-19 vote in 1868 was one vote shy of the two-thirds majority required for Johnson’s dismissal). Instead of leaving office in disgrace, Johnson finished out his term.
Ordinarily, such razor-thin margins of victory are grounds for a recount. In the infamous 2000 presidential election, President George W. Bush originally won Florida by 1,725 votes over Democratic challenger Al Gore. After recounts, the number was reduced down to 930 and subsequently certified at 537.
But Dr. Sypitkowski is not a career politician and said she’s uncertain whether she’ll run for office again.
‘I love Addison Township, but I’m not a politician,? she explained. ‘Four years ago, when I ran, it wasn’t my idea. I was asked. This time around, I ran because I care about the township and want what’s best for it.?
Dr. Sypitkowski feels that one of her most noteworthy accomplishments is working for the improvement of township’s dirt roads.
Many roads had been in disrepair and were in need of care and improvements.
For her, this was a vital project since she feels that the dirt roads are a part of Addison’s rural charm.
Addison Township clerk Pauline Bennett said, according to election laws, it’s entirely up to a candidate to ask for a recount.
?[Dr. Sypitkowski] will be missed, as she was a good asset to this board,? Bennett said.
Sutphin did not return phone calls seeking comment.