Absentee votes establish Nazareth Borough Council Vice President Larry Stoudt as winner in race - UPDATE

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Larry Stoudt, a member of Nazareth Borough Council for 34 years, had been trailing incumbent Councilman Thomas Heckman by two votes in the Nov. 8 general election count, but managed to gain the lead after receiving five absentee votes in his favor, officials said today.

Northampton County election officials say all five remaining absentee ballots counted this week were cast for Stoudt, making him the unofficial winner in the Nazareth Borough Council Ward 2 race against Heckman.

Ballots must be still certified before becoming official.

Heckman appeared to have won in unofficial results during the Nov. 8 election, carrying 112 votes. Stoudt had 110 votes. The five absentee ballots that remained to be counted gave Stoudt 115 votes, beating out Heckman for the four-year term.

Newcomer Carl Fischl, a Democrat who was a write-in candidate in the May primary, won the other available seat after cross-filing as a Democrat and a Republican.


"Certainly, I am happy," Stoudt said this afternoon. "I appreciate the support of voters. I will do what I can for what I think is the best interest of the community."

Stoudt, a Republican, is vice president of council and chairman of the borough police committee. He also sits on the highway committee.

After he is sworn in to another term in January, Stoudt said his priority would be working with the rest of council on police regionalization.

The council in June -- at the recommendation of Mayor Fred Daugherty -- agreed to negotiate a contract for coverage with Colonial Regional police. Daugherty has cited escalating insurance costs, worker compensation and grievance claims as reasons to consider disbanding the borough force.


Heckman, a Democrat, is chairman of the borough fire committee and member of the finance and ecology committees. He has been a borough councilman for 24 years.


Heckman said he is unsure if he plans to run again. Asked about his feelings leaving council, Heckman said he is disappointed.

"I think the citizens have lost a fiscal watchdog," he said.

He added of those who cast ballots in his favor, "I want to thank everyone, and I am appreciative of their support."

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/nazareth/index.ssf/2011/11/absentee_votes_declare_council.html