Political veteran Meck declared Buckeye's new mayor

Jackie Meck was elected Buckeye's new mayor by fewer than 50 votes, according to results confirmed Friday night.

Out of 2,699 ballots cast, Meck finished ahead of political newcomer Michael Todd by 49 votes, Town Clerk Linda Garrison said. The preliminary results on Election Day Tuesday had Meck and Todd separated by 28 ballots.

That margin grew once early and provisional ballots were counted Friday, solidifying Meck's lead.

“This has been a long four months,” said Meck, whose first act as mayor-elect was to kiss his wife, Verlyne.

“We met an awful lot of people and covered a lot of territory… Buckeye's never been this big before.”

A Buckeye native, Meck was mayor in 1973-75, at the end of a seven-year stretch on the Town Council, and returned as a councilman in 2004. In his 2006 bid for mayor, he came in last. During this year's campaign, Meck, 67, cited his experience with town issues and relationships with developers.

“We're going to be open and honest and I expect everything we do you'll be aware of it,” he said Friday.

Todd had promised to bring a fresh perspective to town politics as a five-year resident and first-time mayoral hopeful.

“It certainly wasn't a landslide,” said Todd, 33, vice chairman of the Buckeye Airport Advisory Board. “To have that close of a race, that should speak volumes to the entire town … We came a long way.” Todd said he'll work with Meck in any way.

“Our whole goal has always been to make Buckeye the best place to live, work and play,” Todd said.

About 21 percent of registered voters went to the polls. The new mayor and council take their seats June 3.