Keyport council showed class

The Keyport Borough Council showed class in the way it handled the controversial decision about whether to keep the position of police director or to recreate the position of police chief.

Emotions always run high on this issue, with police lobbying to retain the traditional police chief and elected officials weighing other factors.

It was particularly emotional in Keyport because of the tragic death earlier this year of the borough’s first police director.

Keyport officials went ahead and interviewed candidates for the director’s position, as well as two candidates from within the department and came to the conclusion that it would be best to promote from within the department

"The council never waned from its obligation to the borough," said Councilman Daniel Nicholl. "I had my feelings from the beginning, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the decision.

"We now know for sure that we have two adequate, capable gentlemen, if not more, to do the job," he said, referring to Lt. John Dayback and Capt. Theodore Gajewski.

The council was determined to do what was best for the borough, not to cave in to pressure.

As it turned out, the council made everyone happy.