OLD TAPPAN, N.J.—The borough’s first Korean-American councilman was appointed May 20 by a unanimous council who welcomed 16-year-resident Jin Yhu—a volunteer firefighter and local recreational coach—to fill the position of a former councilwoman recently hired as borough administrator.
Yhu, a Republican, will serve the unexpired term of former longtime councilwoman Anna Haverilla, which runs through November 2021.
Haverilla was hired April 1 to fill the position of borough administrator following the retirement of longtime administrator Patrick O’Brien, who officially retired April 30.
On this November’s ballot, Yhu will run for Haverilla’s unexpired seat. As of press time, the election was uncontested.
“I think I’m just a regular person,” said Yhu. “It’s truly an honor to be approached to sit on the council.”
Yhu said he had “a strong sense of duty to the community and our country and a real admiration to those who volunteer in our community,” he added.
Yhu said he would be talking with residents about concerns, going to community activities, meeting people and “developing a good sense of this community.”
He said helping Old Tappan maintain its character was also important.
“I’m just a regular guy trying to keep Old Tappan a great place to live,” he added.
Mayor John Kramer said the council interviewed three Republican candidates suggested for the position and chose Yhu based on his community involvement, including being a volunteer firefighter since 2005 and his stints as a recreational baseball and basketball coach.
Yhu has served the fire department as secretary, vice president and president and is currently serving as lieutenant in the department.
‘Stepped up to plate’
“He’s a very bright fellow and one that we were impressed with,” said Kramer May 30. “He’s eager to become involved and sort of stepped up to the plate to handle different matters and we look forward to working with him,” Kramer added.
Kramer said Yhu is the first Korean-American council person in Old Tappan but that his background had nothing to do with his selection.
“We don’t really look at someone’s ethnic background. Some would consider that to be a big plus but it didn’t make any difference” in Yhu’s selection, said Kramer.
The mayor said with Yhu’s appointment, more engagement and communication with the borough’s Korean community was likely and beneficial.
He said the council always welcomes involvement by its Korean community in local events—such as the recent Memorial Day parade—and welcomes input from all residents on town concerns.
Yhu’s family came to the United States from Korea in 1973, when Yhu was three and at age 11, Yhu became a United States citizen.
He is a State University of New York-Albany graduate with a bachelor of science degree in biology.
Yhu started his own business in 2003, when he also moved to Old Tappan with his wife, Soo Yhu, a pre-kindergarten teacher, and children, Autumn and Logan.
Yhu will serve as a council liaison on local committees including safety commission, social services, local assistance board, senior advisory, affordable housing, community development, and Boy and Girl Scouts.
Photo courtesy Anna Haverilla