Beck, Clark, Neville Win in Lower Township

VILLAS — It was a nervous night for the Lower Township incumbent Mayor Michael Beck and council candidates Norris Clark and James Neville.
While results began coming in at 8:15 p.m. Nov. 6, the win was not apparent for the Beck team until they received a text message at 10 p.m. from County Republican Organization Chairman Michael Donohue conceding the race on behalf of Erik Simonsen, Kevin Lare and Walter Craig.
Neville took an early solid lead in the Ward Two race over Craig with a final total of 55 percent to 45 percent.
A problem with reading voting machine cartridge totals from five districts slowed the results. Former Township Clerk Claudia Kammer who was assisting Township Clerk Julie Picard, read paper tallies from the five districts while Glen Douglass, Beck’s campaign chairman, added those figures to official figures on the county website.
That total found the race to close to call for campaign workers.
After another 30 minute delay, absentee vote totals confirmed the win of Beck, Clark and Neville.
Clark smiled from ear to ear upon receiving news of his close victory over Lare. Campaign workers applauded as Beck thanked the group for their hard work.
Beck told the Herald he ran with the “right guys.” He said Douglass was outstanding as a campaign chairman.
Beck said he had a ground swell of public support.
“We’re honored, we’re thrilled to be able to serve the residents of Lower Township,” he said. “All we want to do is turn the page, move forward and give them the best government that they have ever had.”
Clark told the Herald he was thankful for the opportunity to serve in Lower Township “with a great mayor.”
“I want to thank everyone that voted for us and those who didn’t work for us, we hope to earn their respect,” he said.