Republican
Bushman, 42, and his wife, Barbara, have resided in Jamesburg for more than 15 years and have two children, ages 13 and 10. A software quality engineer with Telcordia Technologies, he previously served on the Borough Council from 1996-2001 and on the Zoning Board of Adjustment from 1995-96. He served in the New Jersey Air National Guard for eight years and was active as part of Operation Northern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom. Bushman graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor of arts degree in political science with a minor in social sciences. He received a master’s degree in government administration from the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently pursuing a doctorate.
Democrat
Kostbar, 55, has a wife, Helen, and has lived in Jamesburg for 20 years. A practicing attorney, he has a bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College and a juris doctorate from New York Law School. Currently the Borough Council president, Kostbar’s other community involvement includes service as an attorney for the Jamesburg Zoning Board and Monroe Township Fire District No. 3, president of the Jamesburg Public Library Board of Directors, attorney for the Middlesex County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a member of the Jamesburg ad hoc Committee on School Expansion, and representative to Middlesex County Transportation Committee and Middlesex County Affordable Housing Council.
Carlos L. Morales*
Democrat
Morales, 36, has a wife, Francine, and two children, Devin, 15, and Myriah, 8. A firefighter and hazardous materials technician for Middlesex County, Morales is employed by the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs. He has lived in Jamesburg for 16 years. A graduate of Elizabeth High School, Middlesex County College and the Middlesex County Fire Academy, Morales has been a member of the New Jersey National Guard for 17 years. He is a past member of Jamesburg’s first aid squad and fire department. Morales was elected to the Borough Council in 2002 and has since chaired its public works and public safety committees.
If elected, what qualities or skills would you bring to the Borough Council?
Adam R. Bushman
The combination of my education and history of community involvement and military service testifies to a proven track record of commitment and service to my fellow residents of Jamesburg, the surrounding community and the country. I am independent of any financial interests in the borough or state other than being a common citizen and taxpayer with common-sense approaches to problems. My education in government administration has given me the needed tools with which to get the job done and formulate workable courses of action to improve Jamesburg for all residents. My previous service on the council has given me experience to get results and actions on the important issues.
Otto J. Kostbar
If re-elected, I would bring a broad range of government and legal experience to the Jamesburg council. I have served on the council for seven years in various capacities including council president, police commissioner and chairman of the Finance Committee. I have served as zoning board attorney and have extensive experience in land use law in my private practice. I have served as president of the Jamesburg Public Library, attorney for a fire district and attorney for Middlesex County SPCA. These positions have given me a wealth of knowledge regarding government issues.
Carlos L. Morales
I think that I bring a general openness and straightforward approach. I’m very approachable and willing to listen to both sides of a problem in order to realize the best solution for all of our residents.
What are your thoughts on the work of the current governing body? Please make note of any specific achievements or failures.
Adam R. Bushman
The biggest challenge will be maintaining the aesthetic quality of the community under the ever-increasing pressures of development in the surrounding communities. This will cause increasing traffic congestion, noise and pollution within our small community. The council needs to more strongly advocate policies to mitigate these growing problems such as reducing speed limits, enacting truck restrictions and enforcing littering ordinances. The council also needs to seek state and county support since many roads that bisect Jamesburg are county roads. Jamesburg is under pressure to seek more ratables; however, it needs to be careful not to court businesses that would be counter to its historical context.
Otto J. Kostbar
I believe the council is doing an exceptional job. Even though our town is virtually built-out, we have been able to increase commercial ratables. We have been able to obtain over $2 million in grants for capital improvements such as sidewalks, the senior center, sewers, lighting, beautification and recreation facilities. We have increased the size of the police force without raising municipal taxes, which has led to a sharp decrease in the crime rate and enhanced public safety. A shuttle bus service has been brought to Jamesburg. We are attempting to bring mass transit to the town through a park-and-ride while opposing the MOM [Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex rail] line.
Carlos L. Morales
Jamesburg is going in the right direction. The governing body is trying to improve the quality of life for residents by making the streets safe, providing recreational programs for our children, repairing and replacing sidewalks, and working to maintain a stable tax rate without diminishing services. The governing body has found different ways to receive funds for shared services, and actively pursues grants to help fund our programs. The council has spearheaded the revitalization of the borough while keeping in mind the historical value of many of our homes and businesses, and has given property owners incentives to make improvements to their homes or businesses.
What are Jamesburg’s greatest assets, and what, if anything, could be made better about the borough?
Adam R. Bushman
Jamesburg’s greatest challenge is to improve its quality of life, thereby increasing its economic and social stature. Jamesburg’s greatest attribute is that it is a true family community in the strategic center of Monroe Township. By working with our neighbors and through careful planning, we can fortify and build Jamesburg into that aesthetically inviting turn-of-the-century community James Buckelew created. I would advocate for a fair method of zoning and planning to preclude the ever-increasing transformation of the surrounding community into what amounts to a giant warehouse. I would get money to residents via COAH [Council on Affordable Housing], enabling them to improve their properties and reduce their overall tax burden.
Otto J. Kostbar
Jamesburg’s greatest asset is its tremendous sense of community pride. This is evidenced by the numerous volunteers who work on feeding those less fortunate, helping during the recent flooding or working on our historical association. We have to continue tapping this resource. Our town is the natural center of the Jamesburg-Monroe area and is in an excellent location to increase commercial activity, which will help us to stabilize the school tax rate.
Carlos L. Morales
The greatest asset of the borough is the residents. With all the different nonprofit organizations participating in the growth of the borough, we have shown that you can do more with less.