Independents Beck, Lare Secure Lower’s Election

VILLAS –– Michael Beck was unofficially declared mayor-elect of Lower Township election night with 4,152 votes, or 43.09 percent of the vote, with about a 9 percent margin over Republican Glenn Douglass and over 20 percent more than Democrat Harvey Roach.
Beck’s running mate for council, Kevin Lare, was also considered the favorite with 3,709 votes or 39.92 percent, but only 345 more votes than Republican Robert Nolan and 1,491 more votes than Democrat Peter Smith.
About 800 absentee ballots had to be counted, which posed potential influence on these immediate election results.
It was clear Nov. 5 that Beck and Lare had won the election.
Beck received 310 absentee votes, which brought his grand total for all wards to 4,462. Lare received 270 absentee votes, which brought his grand total to 3,979. Douglass’ grand total of votes was 3,547 and Nolan had 3,626 total votes. Roach had a final vote count of 2,452 and Smith had 2,490.
Beck and Lare waited at Township Hall Nov. 4 as ballots from all wards and districts were collected and counted; they were the only candidates present.
“We did it the hard way: we came in as Independents. I promise you everything we do will be for the people of Lower Township,” Beck said when he was unofficially declared mayor-elect.
“I think we offered something different where people could have trust in us as being there totally for them.”
Beck said one of his long-term goals is “to try to make sure we operate this town as economically as possible while maintaining quality of life.”
“We need to solve some of the problems such as the MUA (Municipal Utilities Authority) issue. One of the projects we always look forward to is open government, the ability to get people involved in our government.”
“At the end of our terms if we don’t have many more people involved in government, I would consider us to be less than successful. I think government works best when everyone has the opportunity to be involved.”
Beck said he spent roughly about $15,000 on his campaign.
Jack Sparks, former township mayor from 1972-76, was at Township Hall in support of Beck. He told the Herald “the present administration did nothing but bumble for the past year concerning Bennett’s Crossing and Ponderlodge.”
Beck said his first action as mayor will be to provide more information to the residents. He said he plans to establish a mayor’s advisory board.
“We’re going to address the MUA issue as soon as possible,” he said. Beck and Lare attended the MUA’s Nov. 5 meeting.
“This isn’t a one-man show; there are three others on council I look forward to working with, so for us to say where we’re headed, were only headed there if we have the rest of council with us and, of course, the township.”
While county Democrats shuffled over to Atkinson’s Tavern and Republicans congregated at the Bellevue Tavern to celebrate or bereave election results, Independents Beck and Lare held their victory party at the Villas Fishing Club.