Moreno won't contest election

Dispatch/Argus photo by Terry Herbig

Joe Moreno has decided not to contest his narrow loss to John Thodos in the East Moline mayoral election saying that there were not enough discrepancies to make a recount necessary.

"I didn't expect any changes," Mr. Moreno said. "It was a close race. I lost."

"The voters have spoken and they selected John Thodos, but I truly believe in my heart that the majority of East Moliners supported me," Mr. Moreno said.

"I saw nothing out of the ordinary," Mr. Thodos said. If he were in the same position, Mr. Thodos said he might have done the same thing as Mr. Moreno, he said, adding that he feels no malice toward Mr. Moreno.

Connie Corcoran Wilson and Larry Heiland, winner Helen Heiland's son, also reviewed East Moline's 1st Ward ballots. Wilson saw a 10 vote lead turn into a 10 vote loss in the final hours of the election. Wilson has yet to decide whether to call for a recount.

In the spirit of friendship and reconciliation, the two were quoted thusly:

Ms. Wilson said she disputed a few ballots that were marked wrong, and said she felt that the "election was stolen" from her.

"I'm getting tired of her whining," Ms. Heiland said, who is in Florida on vacation. Ms. Wilson would be wasting money on an attorney if the matter goes further, Ms. Heiland said.

Ouch!