Knerr, Nichols, Orris join Town Council in major changing of guard in govt.

By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

ALLY LANASA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Zackery Tyndall and his wife, Chelsea, celebrate his victory as the new Berlin mayor at his home on Buckingham Road Tuesday night.

(Oct. 8, 2020) With a strong campaign and favorable feedback from many townspeople, District 2 Councilmember Zackery Tyndall was elected as the mayor of Berlin on Tuesday in a landslide victory against four candidates.

“I think that it’s going to be a good thing for the town,” Tyndall said. “The people, from the numbers that I heard, are ready to take a different step forward, and I’m happy to lead that step forward along with the three new councilmembers.”

Tyndall received 846 votes, compared to only 184 for his predecessor Gee Williams.

“The trust placed in me by the people of Berlin is humbling and the expectation high,” Tyndall wrote in a press release Tuesday evening. “Now that you have elected me as your Mayor, I will work hard to protect your trust and the assets of Berlin. We will implement new management approaches while working with the previous administration and town employees to achieve a seamless transition.”

Tyndall, 30, will be sworn into office on Oct. 13 by Susan Braniecki, clerk of the Circuit Court for Worcester County. Then, he will swear in the councilmembers filling the District 2, District 3 and At-Large council seats.

Jack Orris, Jr. ran unopposed for District 2, while Shaneka Nichols won the District 3 seat with 199 votes.

“I can’t even begin to tell you just how excited I am about this win for not only me but District 3,” Nichols said. “There have been so many suggestions and ideas that community members have already brought to the table. So now it’s [time] to get to work.”

In addition, Jay Knerr beat Tony Weeg for the At-Large council seat in a 606-495 vote.

“I am extremely excited to have won the At-Large seat on the Berlin Town Council,” Knerr said. “Election Day was certainly a roller coaster ride of emotions as the day progressed. It is not just a win for me but this election was a giant win for all the citizens of Berlin.”

In the press release, Tyndall congratulated all the candidates for running “good and honorable campaigns.” He also thanked residents and business owners for sharing their perspectives on the town throughout the election process.

“With five candidates in the race for Mayor, the campaign has been challenging and inspiring,” he wrote. “I have had the pleasure of meeting residents and business owners, some for the first time. I have heard their concerns and frustrations about the town’s management. I appreciate the sharing of knowledge about some of our most critical issues, and most importantly, learned about their hopes and visions for Berlin’s future.”

ALLY LANASA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Berlin residents in Districts 1 and 2 arrive at Buckingham Presbyterian Church on South Main Street on Tuesday to vote in the municipal election.

With one of the highest voter turnouts for a Berlin election, the town received 1,236 regular and absentee ballots.

“We encouraged the absentee voting, but we also had the mechanisms in place for social distancing and the proper precautions, so people could vote in person, and do that safely,” Tyndall said.

He added that he was happy to see residents bike up to the polling places to cast their vote.

Tyndall celebrated his victory at his home on Buckingham Road with his wife, Chelsea, his campaign staff and a bottle of champagne.

During his term, Tyndall will remain full-time as the acting assistant director at Salisbury University’s Richard A. Henson Medical Simulation Center.