One week and six votes later, the Burlington City Council broke a deadlock Monday night and reelected Ward 5 Democrat Joan Shannon council president.
Shannon's selection came after her sole opponent, Ward 6 independent Karen Paul, pulled out of the race, saying a continued stalemate "is not in the best interest of the city." It also came after Shannon and her fellow Democrats promised to share power with the council's non-Democrats and cede to them the presidency next year if another tie occurs.
"I very much appreciate the spirit of compromise of this council," Shannon said after Paul ended her candidacy. "It really says that we're all trying our very best to work in the interest of the city of Burlington, to get to the business of the city and to not delay any further."
(Pictured: Shannon, second from back left, speaks with Councilor Kevin Worden; Paul, back right, speaks with Councilor Norm Blais.)