Jamesburg candidates eye downtown revitalization

By Davy James, Staff Writer
   JAMESBURG — Candidates for Borough Council say their vision for Jamesburg’s future hinges on revitalization and the continued transformation of the downtown area into a commercial center.
   Republican Brian Duke, Democrat Daria Ludas and Democrat incumbent and current council President Otto Kostbar are vying for two, three-year seats on the council.
   Mr. Duke, 36, is the national director of marketing for an engineering and consulting firm in Manalapan. He said his three main goals are to lower property taxes through an independent evaluation of borough expenses, continued revitalization of the borough through grant programs and listening to the suggestions and concerns of residents so the council shares in their goals.
   ”I believe an active challenge of each expenditure is not occurring to the utmost and we need to dissect the budget in every aspect,” Mr. Duke said. “I think it’s clear that not every avenue is being explored to reduce the tax burden on our residents and we owe it to the community to check and recheck each aspect. The statement that everything that could be done has already been done just doesn’t cut it.”
   He said that Jamesburg’s downtown area has immense opportunity for growth and that grant programs, partnerships and education of business owners is key to developing Jamesburg’s future.
   ”We have a distinct history and a charming downtown area,” he said. “I want to see a bustling downtown area without losing its character. We need to attract not just residents, but people from surrounding districts and towns to come and support our commercial areas.”
   Mr. Kostbar, 58, is an attorney who has served on the council for three and one half terms. He said that over the last decade the council has rebuilt the police to improve public safety, giving Jamesburg the second lowest crime rate in the county.
   He said infrastructure for sidewalk and sewer improvements has been accomplished through seeking out grants that have improved the appearance of the borough. He said he hopes to continue to improve the business climate and frugal budgeting to keep the tax rate low, while continuing to maintain the volunteer spirit in the borough reflected by the first aid squad and civic associations.
   ”My vision for Jamesburg is that we will continue to improve public safety to the point where it’s not an issue in town,” Mr. Kostbar said. “We want to draw more commercial businesses and residents so we are more of a commercial hub for western Middlesex County.”
   Mr. Kostbar said drawing in businesses like CVS has already improved the quality of life for residents and he hopes to continue to do so, with an emphasis of transforming the downtown area and continuing to upgrade the borough’s infrastructure.
   ”I want to see our streets lined with unique retail businesses like Mendoker’s Bakery, Better Living and Jamesburg Hardware,” he said. “I see us developing as a commercial center with lots of nice buildings in downtown that are readily accessible. There’s a great future here if we continue to do that.”
   Ms. Ludas, 59, is a third-grade teacher in Fords and served on the library board of trustees for eight years. She said careful spending is key to Jamesburg’s future.
   ”With cuts in state aid we need to use every dollar as efficiently as possible,” Ms. Ludas said. “We need to look to using more shared service agreements with other municipalities.”
   Ms. Ludas said the continued revitalization of the borough hinges on attracting new businesses and she would like to see more community-themed days involving planting flowers and borough cleanup.
   ”I’d like to see our downtown area filled with attractive looking buildings with nicely kept grounds,” she said. “We need to have a thriving downtown area because the more businesses we have will bring in more people and shows that we are a living, breathing, thriving and vibrant community.”