Abandon All Hope Ye in Emerald City

Godfrey and his shyster henchman prevail in today's official vote count

The votes have been counted and Boss Godfrey is the winner, according to this afternoon's Salt Lake Tribune article, by a margin of 449 votes. At-large seat "A" council candidate Blain Johnson has also apparently upended Sheila Aardema by a thin 65 votes.

Barring an election challenge, it appears we're in for another four years of strife and community division.

Godfrey has proven, to the dismay of all of us, that money talks; and that an obscenely giant campaign warchest can buy an election.

The bright side, we suppose, is that this election has also given Weber County Forum another 4-year lease on life.

Excuse us now, while we skulk off to sulk.

Update 11/14/07 7:35 a.m. MT: We link below two articles from this morning's Standard-Examiner, fleshing out details about the mayoral and At-large "A" race:

Godfrey: Excited, relieved
Johnson edges Aardema

And here's a good one from the Salt Lake Tribune:

Ogden's Mayor Godfrey comes out 449 votes ahead of Van Hooser

We'll make snarky note of the first reader comment appearing below the Tribune article: "Oboy oboy! Ogden's reign of stupidity continues."

The beat goes on. Emerald City remains the laughing stock of Utah.