Card draw decides Eureka Council victor

EUREKA, Juab County — Gary Boswell drew the queen of diamonds, beating Greg Thornock's seven of clubs and winning a seat on the City Council.

The showdown Monday night became necessary after the two candidates for the seat each got 137 votes in November's election.

State law provides that such ties be broken by casting lots.

At Monday night's council meeting, Councilman Joseph Bernini shuffled the cards and Councilman Klay Allinson, whose seat was at stake, was picked to cut the deck.

Thornock drew first and waited for Boswell to draw his card, then both turned their cards over at the same time.

Thornock, not a card player, wasn't sure what his seven of clubs meant.

"I was waiting for someone to tell me who won," he said.

"I'm just glad it's over," the Utah Valley State College student said. "I can get back to finals."

Boswell and his wife, Janice Boswell, both said they were excited that he won, although he would have liked to have known sooner.

"Usually Eureka likes something or they don't," he said, adding he could have done without the added stress of not knowing the outcome until weeks after the election. "It kept us taking a lot of Tums."

Boswell works of EG&G, the contractor at the chemical weapons disposal plant.

Two weeks ago, Dale Bettridge beat Jess Askeroth on a coin toss for a Parowan City Council seat.