Democrats win control in Hazlet BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer Joseph Belasco HAZLET - Following a campaign that would determine the balance of political power in town, the dust has settled and the Democrats have regained control on the Township Committee. Political newcomer Joseph Belasco (3,210 votes) and incumbent Kevin Lavan (3,226) defeated William Kolibas Jr. (2,539) and Dave Tinker (2,462). Belasco and Lavan, both Democrats, will team with James DiNardo, who successfully ran with Lavan last year. Belasco will take over the seat of Republican Deputy Mayor Scott Aagre, who decided not to run for re-election. The remaining Republicans are Mayor Michael Sachs and Committeewoman Bridget Antonucci. Lavan felt confident that he would be able to keep his seat on the committee but didn't think it would happen by such a wide margin. "We never expected to win like this," Lavan said. "But still we felt good about what we did in this campaign. We tried to tell the truth the whole time throughout this [campaign]. Accountability was a very key thing in my opinion and the people of Hazlet listened." Kevin Lavan His running mate Belasco was concerned about putting the campaign behind him and moving forward. Over the last few weeks leading up to the election, each side accused the other of being dishonest with voters. Among their disputes, the Democrats accused the Republicans of misappropriating nearly $140,000 in taxpayer money, while the GOP accused their opponents of lying about their role in the revitalization of the township's pool club. "I just want to start a clean slate now that everything is settled and we know who is on this committee," Belasco said. Tinker echoed the sentiments of Lavan when it came to the disparity in the vote total. "I can't explain the results at all," Tinker said. "Will and I wanted to get on the ballot, and we did and that was our main goal." And although he ended up on the losing end, Kolibas still wants to be a part of what goes on with committee business. "I want to help in any way I can, and I want to see this town accomplish some great things," Kolibas said. "I'm disappointed of course but I still think we ran a very good, clean and honest campaign."