The western Newfoundland city of Corner Brook has a new mayor after Coun. Neville Greeley beat incumbent Charles Pender by 165 votes in a municipal election Tuesday.

Shortly after his victory, Greeley told CBC News he knew from the beginning of the campaign that he was going to have to work hard to win.

"I thought right from the start that it was going to be a horse race and it turned out to be a good one," said Greeley. "My goal right now is to get through the night and first thing [Wednesday] we're going to sit down with the new council and get briefed by staff."

Pender, who has represented Corner Brook residents for the past 10 years, first as a councillor and then as mayor for four years, said he accepts the decision of the people.

"That's the way it goes," he said.

'I'll take help from wherever I can get it'

Pender said Greeley owes his victory, at least in part, to help from two prominent Liberals.

"I think Mr. Greeley had a strategy with the support of [federal Liberal MP] Gerry Byrne's Liberal campaign team, which is a formidable opponent," said Pender. "And [former provincial Liberal MHA] Eddy Joyce was busing people and bringing them to the polls all day."

Greeley said Liberal organizers were welcome to pitch in.

"I'll take help from wherever I can get it," he said. "I haven't spoken with Mr. Byrne and I certainly haven't spoken with Mr. Joyce but if any of their campaign workers helped me, I'm glad to have them on my side."

Greeley said property assessments and a possible mill rate change will be priorities for the new municipal government.