By Bill Riccio, Jr.
Voice Editor

The top vote-getter for the GOP in last week’s Board of Education election has procured the services of an attorney to challenge the seating of the next Board in December. David Riccio, who received more than 1,900 votes citywide, is challenging the results, which he says would violate the City Charter.

It is Riccio’s contention the election results would see a 7-2 split Democrats to minority representation, including two who were elected under the A Better Future Party banner. The charter is explicit in that no more than 6 members of the nine-member panel can be from the same party.

“I don’t care how they decide it, but I was the next vote getter in a party other than the Democratic Party, and should be sitting when the Board is sworn in next month,” he said.

Riccio, a former City Council member, was the top vote getter on the Republican slate, outpolling mayoral candidate Steven Mullins. He believes the people of the city knew what they were doing on Nov. 3.

“The voters know me and more than 1,900 voted for me. I should get a seat,” he said.

At press time it was unclear whom the Republican had hired to represent him, but it was known that he was in contact with several attorneys and Republican officials well versed in the minority representation clauses of the charter.