WENDELL - Since Tuesday's inconclusive election results were announced, Wendell's residents wondered who their next mayor will be.

A tumbling Congressional coin slightly larger than ahalf-dollar piece provided the answer Thursday: Brad Christopherson.

After both incumbent Mayor Rick Cowen and Christopherson received 215 votes in Tuesday's election, the mayoral hopefuls met at the beginning of Thursday's City Council meeting to learn their fates.

Christopherson, seated with the audience, smiled and shook nervously while Cowen sat in the mayor's seat with the council, looking stoic and tense.

Heads it's Cowen; tails it's Christopherson.

City Clerk Mickey Walker explained the rules and asked if the contenders wanted a closer look at the coin. Christopherson left his seat and made his way to the front of the room.

Cowen remained seated, saying, "Toss it and tell us what it says."

He peered over the council podium while the room became silent. Walker flicked her wrist and the coin flickered slightly in the fluorescent overhead lights while turning end over end, descending to the floor.

Someone announced "Tails!" and the room erupted into applause. Cowen's gaze remained fixed on the coin as he bit his lower lip. He'll remain on the council until Christopherson is seated in January.

Cowen declined to comment but Christopherson is looking forward to the opportunity to, "represent the people."

"People have spoken up … and they've always had an interest in what goes on in City Hall," he said. "Now it's just my turn to represent them."

The event, which drew a crowd that filled Council Chambers,will likely go down in city lore.

"I had to see this," said resident Cindy Harbaugh. "We've never seen anything like this before."

Resident Linda Butler came to the meeting to question the legality of the toss.

"I contacted my attorney," Butler said. "I think the courts should determine the outcome of this whole thing."

After Butler told the council her concerns it broke into recess, giving city Attorney Calvin Campbell an opportunity to review the procedure.

"In the short time I've had to review state law … we've done what we need to do," Campbell.

Blair Koch may be reached at blairkoch@gmail.com or 208-316-2607.