The seven members of the popularly elected Wicomico County Board of Education were sworn in at the County Courthouse on Monday. From left, Schools Superintendent Dr. Donna Hanlin, Michael Murray, Ann Suthkowski, John Palmer, Allan Brown, Gene Malone, Don Fitzgerald and David Goslee.

Following a ballot recount, Board of Education candidate David Goslee was declared the winner by one vote and sworn in to represent District 3 early this week.

After the swearing in, board members gathered for dinner and a meeting.

“I guess I’m still in shock that I finally got it. The Lord’s got me there for a reason,” Goslee told the Salisbury Independent.

“I had a lot of people tell me, ‘Dave, we’ve known you all your life. Don’t change from the way you are.’ I do not intend to. That’s not my way. If you tell me something in confidence that’s where it stays,” he said.

His goal is to “make sure to the best of my ability that the schools are safe and the transportation is safe,” he said.

“That’s what my expertise is in, law enforcement and safety and logistics. That is where I’d like to concentrate my time.

“I want to visit the schools, see what the problems are. I want to go unannounced. I don’t want people to know I’m coming ahead so they make sure there’s a special, good-looking lunch.

“I want to see the everyday atmosphere and form my own opinions. I want funding to go to good use for the teachers and the children. That’s what I want to concentrate on, taking care of the kids, the children, their safety, and making sure they have what they need.

“If something is right, I’ll stand behind it. If something doesn’t sound right, I’ll listen and let them explain it to me,” Goslee said.

On election night, Nov. 6, it was announced Goslee lost to challenger and incumbent Bill Turner by one vote. The final count was 3,056 to 3,055.

Turner claimed 184 of the 350 absentee and provisional votes that were tallied and verified last week. Goslee received 166 absentees and provisionals.

After the recount, Anthony Gutierrez, director of the Board of Elections, confirmed Goslee was the unofficial winner. Goslee wondered if Turner could request a second recount, but Turner said he had no such intention.

Both he and Goslee were at the Wicomico County Board of Elections office watching the process and “they were doing a fine job,” Turner said.

“They did a super job and they kept me informed,” he said.

“I, of course, wish him (Goslee) well. I enjoyed my time on the Board of Education. I hope that he puts the effort into it. I’m sure he will. I wish them well. I thought I brought something to the table that other people didn’t and I’m glad I had the opportunity to serve,” Turner said.

Turner was the incumbent in the nonpartisan race, appointed in August to fill a vacancy created by the transition from an appointed to an elected panel.

Goslee said he was urged to request a recount.

“I had a lot of calls from constituents who said, ‘You were leading, then at last minute you were losing by one vote.’ I was ahead by 10, then an hour and a half later I was down by 1.

“I just think a recount is in order to lay everything to rest and satisfy a lot of people who backed me and everything,” Goslee said.