Keyport Republican to join all-Dem council Incumbent loses seat to longtime boro official BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer John Kovacs KEYPORT - Voters made a split decision last week, choosing Republican John Kovacs (680 votes) and incumbent Democrat George Walling (742) to serve on the 2008 Borough Council. The newly elected council members beat out incumbent Richard Hassmiller (639) and John Ambrose (625) to fill the slots. A total of 2,688 votes were counted in the election, including two writeins. Kovacs is a 20-year veteran of the Unified Planning Board and a former council member, serving from 1985-1991. He works in town as a maintenance mechanic and has been a volunteer fireman since 1960. As the council's soon-to-be lone Republican, Kovacs said he wants to move quickly on establishing a pay-toplay ordinance. "And also get the master plan updated," Kovacs said on Monday. "The whole thing hasn't been updated since I was on the council in the eighties." Kovacs said that in 2000, the Borough Council chose to add a few new facets to the master plan but ultimately rejected the idea of completely rehashing the 1989 master plan. In light of ongoing projects, Kovacs said it's high time to come up with a new document. George Walling In other areas, Kovacs expressed interest in establishing an amiable working relationship with the borough's business owners and various volunteer organizations, such as the first aid and fire departments and Pop Warner organization. Walling has served two nonconsecutive terms on the council, 1997-2000 and 2004-present. The lifelong resident works in town as a manager for a retail company. Walling credited his win to his commitment to the town. "I honestly think that people understand I'm about Keyport," Walling said on Sunday. "I'm not a politician's politician. I care about our community and I think they understood that message." Like Kovacs, Walling is concerned about updating the master plan. Walling also looks forward to seeing the continuation of waterfront redevelopment and sees valuable potential in the highway commercial zone. Pleased that the borough has employed a Neighborhood Preservation Program coordinator to improve the highway area, Walling said there are other areas in town that could also benefit from rehabilitation. "The highway, we have a gem up there and nobody even focuses on anything up there at all," Walling said. As an outgoing member of the council, Hassmiller expressed interest in remaining on the Unified Planning Board but noted the decision is ultimately up to Mayor Robert Bergen. Both Walling and Kovacs expressed gratitude to their supporters.