(Oct. 6, 2016) Incumbent Mayor Gee Williams was reelected to a third term Tuesday by a landslide and newcomer Zackery Tyndall won a District 2 council seat in the only other contest in Berlin’s municipal election.
Williams received 588 total votes — 184 in District 1, 240 in District 2, 73 in District 3, 72 in District 4 and 19 absentee votes across all districts. His challenger, District 2 Councilwoman Lisa Hall, received 137 total votes — 36 in District 1, 57 in District 2, 26 in District 3, 14 in District four and four absentee votes.
Tyndall won with 185 votes — 177 on regular ballots and eight on absentee ballots, besting challenger Jack Orris, who won 116 votes in District 2.
Incumbent District 3 Councilman Elroy Brittingham earned reelection with no challenge to his seat.
Councilmembers Brittingham, Troy Purnell and Thom Gulyas joined Williams on Tuesday evening during a victory celebration at Burley Oak Brewing Company.
Voting officially ended at 7 p.m., but the results did not come in until much later. The town released official vote tallies after 9:30 p.m.
“I thought it would be this way, but I didn’t think it would be that much of a vote,” Brittingham said. “I thought [Williams] would win, but I didn’t think it would be a landslide.”
Even though the turnout was about 23 percent of the 3,172 registered voters in Berlin, according to town statistics, it was viewed as solid in light of an election with only two contests.
“It was a really good turnout – Berlin is getting to be popular these days, and that’s good,” Purnell said. “It’s good for Berlin.”
Williams, after a long wait, seemed relieved and appreciative of the results.
“I’m very grateful that all the work that the town has done – not just during my two terms as mayor, but for the generation or so that preceded that – I think we’re validated tonight,” he said. “I think that vision of deciding that the future was a good place and not a fearful place, it is now not a matter of question, but is a matter of our culture. It is who we are.
“Hopefully, in our own way, we can become an example to other small towns that the future is not a place to fear, but a place to embrace if you’re willing to make changes that are necessary for all people to succeed,” Williams added.
As for his agenda, Williams said he would continue “thoughtfully, on the same path” that he had set out during his previous eight years in office.
“I don’t think this means accelerating it or backing off,” he said. “We have so many forward thinkers and beneficial ideas that are already in the pipeline that we really don’t have to create a whole new agenda. But, we have to, basically, decide what our priorities are and what limitations are appropriate for now, what things we should be doing in the near future and what things should we leave for the next generation.
“All of that is possible if we continue to talk honestly and openly,” Williams continued. “I also think this election tells me that there are many people in our ‘coolest small town’ that understand it’s not about the artificial differences we’ve been taught, but the values that we share.”
Williams celebrated the victory with his wife, Betsy, other family members and friends.
“Our family has always believed in the future, going back at least 100 years that I know of in such things as tolerance, change, opportunity and welcoming people,” he said, adding that he believed Berlin was still worthy of the “coolest small town” title it won in 2014.
“It always has been, and always will,” he said.
Tyndall was equally grateful for being selected at the District 2 representative.
“! want to thank my family, friends and neighbors for their constant support as I start my political career as councilman for the Town of Berlin,” he said in a Wednesday morning statement. “Growing up, my parents instilled in me the importance of never compromising your character. Throughout this election, I have maintained my integrity and stood for what I believe is right. I look forward to working with the council, Mayor Williams and the public to keep Berlin a great place to live and visit. Thank you again for the opportunity to give back to the community that raised me.”
His challenger, Jack Orris, also recognized Tyndall for a race well run.
“I would like to congratulate Zack on running a great campaign and on winning the election for the District 2 council seat,” Orris said. “I would also like to thank all the people who supported me throughout this campaign, from yard signs to door knocking and everything in between, we campaigned together.
“I’ve met tons of new friends and heard your concerns; although we came up short in this election, I’m not done yet,” Orris added. “We’ve talked about serious issues that the mayor and council will face and I encourage all residents to join me at council meetings to keep our conversations moving forward. Thank you all again.”
Incumbent District 2 Councilwoman Lisa Hall, who gave up her seat to run against incumbent Mayor Gee Williams, was unavailable for comment.
Williams received 588 total votes — 184 in District 1, 240 in District 2, 73 in District 3, 72 in District 4 and 19 absentee votes across all districts. His challenger, District 2 Councilwoman Lisa Hall, received 137 total votes — 36 in District 1, 57 in District 2, 26 in District 3, 14 in District four and four absentee votes.
Tyndall won with 185 votes — 177 on regular ballots and eight on absentee ballots, besting challenger Jack Orris, who won 116 votes in District 2.
Incumbent District 3 Councilman Elroy Brittingham earned reelection with no challenge to his seat.
Councilmembers Brittingham, Troy Purnell and Thom Gulyas joined Williams on Tuesday evening during a victory celebration at Burley Oak Brewing Company.
Voting officially ended at 7 p.m., but the results did not come in until much later. The town released official vote tallies after 9:30 p.m.
“I thought it would be this way, but I didn’t think it would be that much of a vote,” Brittingham said. “I thought [Williams] would win, but I didn’t think it would be a landslide.”
Even though the turnout was about 23 percent of the 3,172 registered voters in Berlin, according to town statistics, it was viewed as solid in light of an election with only two contests.
“It was a really good turnout – Berlin is getting to be popular these days, and that’s good,” Purnell said. “It’s good for Berlin.”
Williams, after a long wait, seemed relieved and appreciative of the results.
“I’m very grateful that all the work that the town has done – not just during my two terms as mayor, but for the generation or so that preceded that – I think we’re validated tonight,” he said. “I think that vision of deciding that the future was a good place and not a fearful place, it is now not a matter of question, but is a matter of our culture. It is who we are.
“Hopefully, in our own way, we can become an example to other small towns that the future is not a place to fear, but a place to embrace if you’re willing to make changes that are necessary for all people to succeed,” Williams added.
As for his agenda, Williams said he would continue “thoughtfully, on the same path” that he had set out during his previous eight years in office.
“I don’t think this means accelerating it or backing off,” he said. “We have so many forward thinkers and beneficial ideas that are already in the pipeline that we really don’t have to create a whole new agenda. But, we have to, basically, decide what our priorities are and what limitations are appropriate for now, what things we should be doing in the near future and what things should we leave for the next generation.
“All of that is possible if we continue to talk honestly and openly,” Williams continued. “I also think this election tells me that there are many people in our ‘coolest small town’ that understand it’s not about the artificial differences we’ve been taught, but the values that we share.”
Williams celebrated the victory with his wife, Betsy, other family members and friends.
“Our family has always believed in the future, going back at least 100 years that I know of in such things as tolerance, change, opportunity and welcoming people,” he said, adding that he believed Berlin was still worthy of the “coolest small town” title it won in 2014.
“It always has been, and always will,” he said.
Tyndall was equally grateful for being selected at the District 2 representative.
“! want to thank my family, friends and neighbors for their constant support as I start my political career as councilman for the Town of Berlin,” he said in a Wednesday morning statement. “Growing up, my parents instilled in me the importance of never compromising your character. Throughout this election, I have maintained my integrity and stood for what I believe is right. I look forward to working with the council, Mayor Williams and the public to keep Berlin a great place to live and visit. Thank you again for the opportunity to give back to the community that raised me.”
His challenger, Jack Orris, also recognized Tyndall for a race well run.
“I would like to congratulate Zack on running a great campaign and on winning the election for the District 2 council seat,” Orris said. “I would also like to thank all the people who supported me throughout this campaign, from yard signs to door knocking and everything in between, we campaigned together.
“I’ve met tons of new friends and heard your concerns; although we came up short in this election, I’m not done yet,” Orris added. “We’ve talked about serious issues that the mayor and council will face and I encourage all residents to join me at council meetings to keep our conversations moving forward. Thank you all again.”
Incumbent District 2 Councilwoman Lisa Hall, who gave up her seat to run against incumbent Mayor Gee Williams, was unavailable for comment.