I left the newsroom last night confident in the story I had written for today's paper -- that Essex residents had voted down a measure to merge with Essex Junction into a single municipality in 2009.

As it turns out, I was wrong. As the Front Page of the Free Press Web site (and tomorrow's print edition) explains, Essex and Essex Junction are one step closer to dissolving into the town of Essex Junction.

First and foremost, I take responsibility and apologize for the error. Just as the Free Press strives to be fair and accurate, I strive for such goals as a journalist. I missed that goal last night.
Before describing how the error unfolded, I'll direct you here. In that story, I outline the "two bucket" system and explain how two merger votes from each village taxpayer are legally regarded as one vote in two elections.

And yet, even having reported and explained that to readers in Essex, Essex Junction and beyond, I forgot one crucial detail in the deadline rush last night.

When we receive results from Essex, they come in three district sets. Totals for District 6-1 (town), totals for District 6-2 (village) and totals for a section of District 6-3 (town). We add them together to provide townwide results.

I, however, didn't realize that I had only added 6-1 and 6-3. The town vote I tabulated was that of the town outside the village. By that count, merger failed.

But merger PASSED when the town within the village vote was added. By a 209-vote margin, according to the figures provided by Town Clerk Cheryl Moomey.

Confusing? You bet - a sentiment felt both within the newsroom and, as an office employee said, in the Essex town clerk's office at 81 Main St. A woman who works in the clerk's office told the Free Press this morning that votes were still being counted.

"They overlooked something," said Lynn Romero. "And they're going over it."

Although I have covered the merger issue since the first letters began flying between the Selectboard and trustees almost two years ago, I dropped the ball at the 11th hour. I'm sorry about that. But I will be continuing to cover the issue and provide information about the long process ahead - and I hope that you keep on reading and discussing the issue with me.

- Victoria Welch