#localpolitics
Belleville Mayor Upset: Frank Velez Wins After Fire Backlash
Belleville Mayor Election Results Frank Velez defeated incumbent Michael Melham in the Belleville mayor election, ending Melham’s bid for a third term after a race shaped by local trust, school safety and the town’s response to a major warehouse fire. Unofficial results from the Essex County Clerk’s Office for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, showed Velez with 3,255 votes, or 59.47%, while Melham received 2,218 votes, or 40.53%, with all districts reporting.
Belleville Mayor Upset: Frank Velez Wins After Fire Backlash
Belleville Mayor Election Results Frank Velez defeated incumbent Michael Melham in the Belleville mayor election, ending Melham’s bid for a third term after a race shaped by local trust, school safety and the town’s response to a major warehouse fire. Unofficial results from the Essex County Clerk’s Office for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, showed Velez with 3,255 votes, or 59.47%, while Melham received 2,218 votes, or 40.53%, with all districts reporting.
Leadership shake-up in Cupertino as city manager steps down with major severance deal
Cupertino is preparing for a major leadership transition after the city council approved a settlement with its city manager, marking the end of her tenure and setting the stage for a new appointment. In a closed session vote held on June 3, the council voted 4-1 to settle with Pamela Wu, who had been placed on paid administrative leave in May. The agreement grants Wu a severance package totaling $311,098.53 along with a limited continuation of benefits. According to the terms of t
Leadership shake-up in Cupertino as city manager steps down with major severance deal
Cupertino is preparing for a major leadership transition after the city council approved a settlement with its city manager, marking the end of her tenure and setting the stage for a new appointment. In a closed session vote held on June 3, the council voted 4-1 to settle with Pamela Wu, who had been placed on paid administrative leave in May. The agreement grants Wu a severance package totaling $311,098.53 along with a limited continuation of benefits. According to the terms of t









