William Brian Duke (R) Duke, 36, has a wife, Pamela, and three children, ages 9, 6 and 4. He is a national director of marketing. He has lived in Jamesburg for 11 years. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Lehigh University and a Master of Business Administration in international business from Rutgers University. He is involved as a baseball coach and with Scout troops. What is Jamesburg’s strongest quality and biggest weakness?
Duke: Jamesburg is a unique and charming municipality with caring residents. Its strongest quality is its citizens. In the years that I have lived in Jamesburg, I have come to truly appreciate the sense of community that is shared among everyone. Whether they are residents or business owners, everyone wants and deserves an even stronger Jamesburg. Its weakness is clearly the high tax burden that is placed on the residents. It is slowly strangling the potential of the borough. The residents and business owners are worried about how high the taxes will continue to rise. Kostbar: Jamesburg’s strongest quality is the great sense of community spirit and its location as a commercial center in Middlesex County. Its weakness is that it is fully built up and has no vacant space for new construction.
Otto Kostbar* (D) Kostbar, 58, has a wife, Helen. He is a lawyer and has lived in town for 24 years. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lafayette College and a juris doctor degree from New York Law School. He has served on the Borough Council for 10 years. He has served as police commissioner, president of the Jamesburg Library, council president, attorney for the Jamesburg Zoning Board of Adjustment, and attorney for the Monroe Township Fire Commission. Ludas: Jamesburg’s strongest qualities are: Jamesburg is a safe town, and it is a business friendly town. Jamesburg’s weakness is its size. There is no room for expansion.
How do you view the progress of the town’s revitalization efforts, and what ideas do you have for future improvements?
Duke: Revitalization is the key to enhancing the overall borough. A thriving downtown commercial district provides a strong sense of community, jobs and additional tax revenues. Clearly, the catalyst for the redevelopment is the desires of existing business owners and the drive of future owners, but the financial ability to accomplish the goals needs to be assisted through programs, standards and education. The borough has made some small steps toward revitalization, but I believe there is much more to be done to unify and grow the downtown and weave it into the surrounding residential areas. Kostbar: Jamesburg’s revitalization has taken huge strides in the last decades. We need to continue infrastructure improvements, such as sidewalks and sewer, more access to bus transportation and to bring in more businesses.
Daria K. Ludas* (D) Ludas, 59, has a husband, Gary, and a daughter, Jennie, 28. She is an elementary school teacher and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in early childhood education. She was appointed to the Borough Council in September. She is a member of the Jamesburg Civic Association, Patriotic Committee and Holiday Lighting Committee and a former library trustee. Ludas: The Revitalization Committee is doing a great job in sprucing up the town and planning for the future. I would like to see residents participate in Take Pride in Your Town days, perhaps three times a year, consisting of town cleanups and plantings.
What goals would you like to accomplish as a member of the governing body during the next couple of years?
Duke: I have three major goals as a member of Jamesburg’s council. First, I will lead a thorough and independent review of all borough expenses to ensure that each and every dollar is spent wisely. Second, I will explore every avenue, including grant programs, to speed along the borough’s revitalization and redevelopment. Third, I will provide open forums, without the formality of the monthly council meetings, to entice residents who may be reluctant to speak in a formal setting to voice their views, because every opinion is a valuable opinion. Kostbar: A) Improve infrastructure through grants; B) continue to improve public safety and traffic control; C) hold down spending and taxes; and D) encourage volunteer spirit.
Ludas: As a council member, I want to see Jamesburg prosper by attracting new businesses into town. I would fight to keep tax rates stable by pursuing grants and shared services with other municipalities.
Why should residents vote for you on Nov. 4?
Duke: I am asking for the residents to support my candidacy and vote for me because I believe that my new ideas and perspective can benefit the borough. I want to put all of my knowledge and energy behind assisting the borough in its growth and revitalization. I not only want to improve the borough for the homeowners of today, but because I have three growing children, I want to ensure that the borough is its strongest moving into the future. I will drive the borough forward if the residents give me the chance, and that is why I ask for their support.
Kostbar: Because of my experience and vision for Jamesburg.
Ludas: (No answer provided.)

