Otto Kostbar, Jamesburg councilman
To the editor:
I would like to correct a number of inaccuracies in the Cranbury Press article of Jan. 6 regarding the Jamesburg Council reorganization meeting.
The article stated that I voted against the appointment of Joseph Intravartola as Jamesburg animal control officer. In fact, I voted for his reappointment. There was another councilperson who voted against it. I did not support or oppose the retention of Helmetta to provide animal control services to Jamesburg. I merely mentioned that Helmetta had contacted me and indicated that they were willing to reduce their prior contract by $5,000.
As a public official, I am duty-bound to report this type of an offer both to the council and to the public. The council then considered and rejected this offer. I have absolutely no problem with Mr. Intravartola serving as our animal control officer. My only concern is that the citizens of Jamesburg are provided with the best service at the cheapest cost, and that all of the facts are put on the record and debated.
The article also stated that the council was divided on the PBA contract which you indicated was passed at this meeting. In fact, the PBA contract, which I helped negotiate, was unanimously approved by the 2011 council at its last meeting in December. I am not aware of anyone on the 2012 council who opposes the contract.
Along with two other council members I did vote against the appointment of a new attorney. Barbara Carpenter, Greg Newton, and myself were very satisfied with the services provided by our last attorney, Joseph Youssouff, and no reasons were given for making a change. Preferring one professional to another hardly seems to be a basis for controversy. I have known our new attorney, Frederick Raffetto, for over a decade and will have no problem working with him.
We do not fear change. In fact, last year we made changes on all of these positions and this year we reverted back to the appointees that have held these positions for many years.
The gender of our new mayor is irrelevant. I, for one, believe in democracy. The voters have spoken. I wish our new mayor and elected officials all of the best and look forward to working with them for the betterment of Jamesburg. I can assure you that our votes were made on principle and not arbitrary or capricious. I have taken an oath of office to serve the citizens of my community. I take this obligation very seriously. I will always try to act in the best interest of those that I serve, to the best of my knowledge and ability. This may mean that I will occasionally not be in total agreement with my fellow elected officials.
