By Davy James, Staff Writer
JAMESBURG — Voters elected Democratic incumbent and council President Otto Kostbar and Democratic candidate Daria Ludas to two, three-year terms on the Borough Council.
Mr. Kostbar received 1,035 votes and Ms. Ludas received 1,004 votes. Republican challenger Brian Duke lost, receiving 810 votes.
Ms. Ludas was appointed to the council to serve the remaining months on the term of Councilman Thomas Bodall, who resigned from the council and withdrew from the race after being charged in September with attempted endangering the welfare of a minor and distributing obscene material to a minor.
Top vote-getter Mr. Kostbar, who previously served on the council for three and one-half terms, said he appreciated the support of the voters.
”I’m very gratified the people of Jamesburg have honored me by re-electing me to serve them again for a fourth term,” Mr. Kostbar said. “They understand the effort we put in and concern we have for everybody’s lives and it’s an honor to serve them. It’s gratifying to know this many people appreciate what we’re trying to do.”
Ms. Ludas said she is honored and is looking forward to facing the challenges her first full year on the council will bring.
”I’m looking forward to working with the mayor and council for the next three years to make a better Jamesburg and a more prosperous Jamesburg,” she said. “I was pleasantly surprised by the results and it’s a good feeling. I will give the people of Jamesburg 110 percent.”
Mr. Duke said he extends his heartfelt congratulations to both Mr. Kostbar and Ms. Ludas on their election and said he plans on running again for the council in the future.
”Even though I didn’t win, this will not dissuade me from becoming more involved,” Mr. Duke said. “I plan on working with the existing council to forward agenda items. I think we need to continue to revitalize the downtown area and encourage businesses to continue to grow in order to build a better and stronger Jamesburg.”
Mr. Kostbar said the challenges facing the borough will be great over the next year as they look to keep spending down while offering residents the best services possible.
”We’ll continue to look at grants for infrastructure revitalization that has already been occurring through the council,” he said. “We have projects scheduled such as the sidewalks on Half Acre Road and the Buckelew (Mansion) project and we will continue to find places to get funding. That’s extremely important and is the nuts and bolts of government.”

