Retiring Mayor Diak expected Nov. 13 to be his final council meeting, the meeting to swear in a new mayor and council members. It didn’t work out that way. The election results were too close to call and triggered Arizona’s 2022 automatic recount law. After the county completes their canvass of votes, Page will do likewise. According to state law, the canvass must be completed before the state recount begins.

Council will hold one, possibly two special sessions to induct new members into office. According to Coconino County, three candidates are within 11 votes of each other. Amanda Hammond leads Tom Preller by three votes. Preller leads John Kocjan by eight votes.

The recall election also requires a recount. Councilor David Auge leads Corey Ekstrand by five votes. Councilor Mike Farrow, with the most votes of any candidate, 1,572 votes, retains his council seat.

The Mayor’s Address

“I am going to take this opportunity to thank the community of Page for allowing me to serve in this seat for nearly 14 years,” said Diak, his voice breaking as emotion overcame him. “I knew it was going to be tough, not this tough,” he went on, quickly regaining his composure.

“I have tried to do the best I could possibly do, and I've only been able to accomplish those things with the board that you see before you and boards previously. John (Vice Mayor John Kocjan) and I have served with many, many boards over the years, this one being one of the best, very proactive and questioning. And you want a council that is diversified and that is always doing that. You don't want four buddies sitting up here, or six buddies or seven buddies. Two buddies, not so bad, but you definitely want to keep away from the four scenario and we've managed to do that over many, many years.  

“It has been my pleasure to bring to Page, I feel, some great projects and some great growth. And from a financial standpoint, the City of Page is in an exceptional state moving forward. John and I are the only two around that have had to do some really, really, really dastardly deeds to save money over the years. Hopefully we never see those times again because that was laying people off, people that didn't need to be laid off, yeah, maybe one, but six others that basically we laid off so that we could refinance a debt that had not been paid except interest only for nearly 13 years. We were able to pay that off and we did that by laying off seven directors rather than 32 hourly employees because we felt that that was the best.  Brian Hill (Page Utility Enterprises Manager) was a part of that and Rick Olson (former Page City Attorney). It was some hard decisions, wasn't it Brian? [Brian Hill was in the audience.] Tough -- but we did that, and we've moved forward and that is behind us. And we have continued to grow ever since. And we learn from our mistakes. Don't overspend. Don't go into debt. Budget well and budget wisely. So, this Council, I pass the baton off to the ones that are going to be remaining and our future mayor. I wish them all the luck in the world as well as to the community of Page. I have tried to serve you well and it has been truly my pleasure to do so.”

 “Mayor, thank you for your service,” said Councilor Richard Lightner, followed by applause from Council, staff and audience