By Stephanie Prokop, Staff Writer
FLORENCE Township residents chose two new council members and a new mayor Tuesday night.
Republican William Berry, who received 1,611 votes, won the four-year mayoral seat previously occupied by Democratic Mayor Michael Muchowski, who did not seek re-election this year. Democrat John Fratinardo, who did not seek re-election to a Township Council seat this year, received 1,465 votes in the race for mayor.
In the race for two four-year Township Council seats in Florence, Democrats won by a handful of votes. Sean Patrick Ryan received 1,518 votes and Dennis O’Hara received 1,560 votes. Republicans William Federico and Timothy Lutz received 1,500 and 1,460 votes, respectively.
Political newcomer Mr. Ryan, 26, said he was very proud of not only his win, but how his entire team conducted itself throughout the course of the election.
”We ran on a very positive platform,” he said.
”We got out there and walked the streets door-to door and we walked and got to the important issues with people, and we then tailored our campaign around those issues.”
Republican Timothy Lutz, 44, said it was tough year to run under the Republican Party in Florence.
”The election was closer than a lot of people thought, and my running mate and I are proud of the clean campaign that we ran,” he said.
Republican William Federico, 44, added, “It was a clean fought election,” and said Mr. Berry is the right person for mayor “as long as he can go forward with the council and continue in the best direction for Florence.”
Mr. Berry and Mr. Fratinardo did not immediately return calls for comment.

