{"id":9804,"date":"2026-05-16T02:54:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T02:54:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?p=9804"},"modified":"2026-05-16T02:54:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T02:54:12","slug":"belleville-nj-mayor-claims-his-successors-car-was-repod","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?p=9804","title":{"rendered":"Belleville, NJ mayor claims his successor&#8217;s car was repo&#8217;d"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <div style=\"display: grid; grid-template-columns: 300px 160px; gap: 2px; width: 460px; background: #eee; padding: 2px;\">\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u6574\u884c\u5bbd\u5e7f\u544a -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column: 1\/-1; width: 460px; height: 250px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876674\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column: 1\/-1; width: 460px; height: 90px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876676\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u5de6\u4fa7\u7ad6\u6392 -->\r\n  <div style=\"height: 250px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876672\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div style=\"height: 500px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876680\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u53f3\u4fa7\u6469\u5929\u697c\uff08\u548c\u5de6\u4fa7\u5b8c\u5168\u5bf9\u9f50\uff09 -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-row: 3\/5; height: 750px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876678\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e6\" data-zoneid=\"5876682\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>The 24-year-old mayor-elect of a New Jersey town who still lives at home no longer has a car \u2014 because it was repossessed, his soon-to-be predecessor claimed in a scathing statement the day after losing the election. <\/p>\n<p>Outgoing Belleville Mayor Michael Melham, 51, who was defeated by baby-faced councilman Frank Velez on Tuesday after an eight-year tenure, turned a Facebook concession statement into a bitter political grenade.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo address the rumors circulating today\u2026 the Mayor\u2019s car was NOT repossessed this morning!\u201d Melham wrote in the Wednesday post. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"39395742\"><br \/>\n\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img style=\"aspect-ratio:0.76923077;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"39395742\" width=\"350\" height=\"455\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg\" alt=\"Headshot of Velez, a young man with dark hair, a blue tie, and a gray plaid suit, smiling in front of an American flag.\" class=\"wp-image-39395742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 350w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?resize=231,300&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?resize=217,282&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 217w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?resize=158,206&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 158w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?resize=55,71&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 55w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?resize=31,40&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 31w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?resize=54,70&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 54w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?resize=42,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 42w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?resize=154,200&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 154w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?resize=322,419&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?resize=300,390&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?resize=339,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 339w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?resize=46,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 46w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?resize=62,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 62w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?resize=45,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 45w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?resize=120,156&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Velez-2ndWard_0f3b25.jpg?resize=38,50&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 38w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\"\/><figcaption>Belleville mayor-elect Frank Velez <span class=\"credit\">The Township of Belleville<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cI have a job and a great career. That said, I can confirm it was actually the new Mayor, the Mayor-elect\u2019s car that was repossessed. Like I said\u2026 I\u2019m praying for you, Belleville.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Melham has not shied from hitting Velez with low blows, including taking jabs at the Gen-Z politician for still living at home and smearing his credentials. <\/p>\n<p>Tuesday\u2019s election came on the heels of a 14-alarm warehouse fire in Belleville that broke out on May 3, causing school closures, massive evacuations, power outages, and home damage.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>Melham faced backlash for his handling of the fire and despite the high-stakes fallout, Velez\u2019s blowout victory was secured in a remarkably low-turnout election.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While 10,832 voters went the polls for the town\u2019s general election last November, turnout completely cratered for Tuesday\u2019s race.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Only 5,523 total ballots were cast out of Belleville\u2019s 26,760 registered voters, with Velez securing his landslide victory with just 3,281 individual votes (59.41%) to unseat incumbent Melham, who brought in 2,242 votes (40.59%).\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"39395746\"><br \/>\n\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img style=\"aspect-ratio:1.33333333;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"39395746\" width=\"787\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Mayor Michael Melham speaks to a group of people in an indoor setting.\" class=\"wp-image-39395746\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1440w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=300,225&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=768,576&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=1024,768&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=600,450&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 600w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=785,589&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 785w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=661,496&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 661w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=576,432&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 576w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=440,330&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 440w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=376,282&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 376w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=180,135&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 180w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=95,71&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 95w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=53,40&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 53w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=93,70&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 93w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=72,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 72w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=200,150&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=231,173&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=322,242&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=588,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 588w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=80,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 80w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=107,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 107w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=1200,900&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=77,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 77w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=208,156&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 208w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/689455025_18592207810012412_4589661009738117422_n.jpg?resize=50,38&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 787px) 100vw, 787px\"\/><figcaption>Belleville Mayor Michael Belham, who claimed that mayor-elect Frank Velez\u2019s car was repossessed.  <span class=\"credit\">Michael Melham \/ Facebook<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The tiny turnout means a mere fragment of the blue-collar community\u2019s roughly 40,000 residents ultimately decided the bitter race.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Analysts say that the devastating warehouse fire did not sway the election overnight, rather, the fire may have exacerbated a political shift against Melham.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNot even a crisis lie the warehouse fire really can change things overnight,\u201d Micah Rasmussen of Rider University\u2019s Rebovich Institute told New Jersey 101.5.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat it can do is reinforce concerns people may already have had,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n<p>Rasmussen further posited that Melham\u2019s allegation that Velez had his car repossessed is \u201csour grapes,\u201d and that \u201cit really underscores the need to check yourself before you say something that you can\u2019t put back.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you can\u2019t be gracious, then you probably shouldn\u2019t go out and give a concession speech at all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Velez, who will assume office on July 1, did not respond to The Post\u2019s request for comment about Melham\u2019s allegation. <\/p>\n<p>The mayor-elect previously served as a trustee on the Belleville Board of Education while he was in college and simultaneously managed social media strategy for many local campaigns.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- \u603b\u5bb9\u5668\uff1a\u6700\u5927\u5bbd908px Grid\u7d27\u51d1\u5e03\u5c40 -->\r\n<div style=\"display: grid; grid-template-columns: 728px 160px; gap:2px; width:908px; background:#eee; padding:2px;\">\r\n\r\n  <!-- 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<!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114301\" data-width=\"160\" data-height=\"600\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114301});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/05\/15\/us-news\/belleville-nj-mayor-claims-his-successors-car-was-repod\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 24-year-old mayor-elect of a New Jersey town who still lives at home no 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