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24-Year-Old Unseats NJ Town's Mayor After Weeks Of Controversy
Frank Velez declared victory in Belleville’s mayoral race Tuesday night, May 12, after defeating incumbent Mayor Michael Melham in the township’s nonpartisan municipal election.
The 24-year-old received 3,255 votes, 59.47%, compared to Melham’s 2,218 votes, 40.53%, according to unofficial election results posted Wednesday afternoon, May 13.
Melham, who is also the deputy coordinator of the Office of Emergency Management, received backlash from the community over his handling of the massive warehouse fire that closed schools.
Following the fire, the Belleville Public School 9 Ho…
