DATE: Tuesday, November 11, 1997            TAG: 9711110281

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA  

SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: MANTEO                            LENGTH:   36 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: ***************************************************************** Bill Fruit was a candidate for the Kitty Hawk Town Council. A headline in Tuesday's paper was incorrect. Correction published, Wednesday, November 12, 1997, p. B2, North Carolina Ed. ***************************************************************** MANTEO COUNCIL CANDIDATE WANTS RECOUNT OF BALLOTS

A retired banker who lost his bid for a seat on the Kitty Hawk Town Council by 14 votes wants a recount.

Bill Fruit finished last with 315 votes in a four-man race for three seats on the Kitty Hawk governing board. The top three vote-getters, Ken Hollowell, Leo Antonucci and Paul Pruitt, were all incumbents.

The Dare County Board of Elections will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Board of Commissioners' Meeting Room to consider Fruit's request.

``The newspapers reported that about 200 ballots in Kill Devil Hills could not be counted,'' Fruit said. ``As far as I know, we use the same type ballots and the same machines in Kitty Hawk. I believe every vote should be counted.''

Fruit said a number of his supporters have asked him to seek a recount.

``I stopped counting at 30 calls,'' he said. ``I have no reason to believe (the recount) will change the election results. I'd just like to see them follow through on the process.''

Antonucci garnered 341 votes, Hollowell 391, and Pruitt 329.

Each seat carries a four-year term. KEYWORDS: ELECTION RECOUNT

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