In the general election yesterday, incumbent Republicans Ruth Lavin and Jerry Wettstone and Democrat Janet Knauer won seats on the State College Borough Council.

Wettstone, a five-year council member, topped the votes with 2,497. Lavin, an eight-year council veteran, finished with 2,461 votes. Knauer captured the final seat with 2,196, outdistancing fourth-place finisher Democrat Betty Grudin, who had 1,851 votes.

Democrat Adam Bender (senior-prelaw) -- the only University student on the ballot -- finished in last place with 1,308 votes, but he won three student precincts --Findlay, Redifer and Waring Commons, as well as the State College East Central No. 1 precinct located at the Wesley Foundation, 256 E. College Ave.

Wettstone said he was "not surprised" with the results of the election, saying the re-election of him and Lavin is a compliment to the present borough council and staff because of the council's successful track record.

Wettstone said the low student turnout is not surprising because the council is not something students think about very often. He said that while standing outside Pollock Commons yesterday he saw about 500 students on their way to dinner and not one stopped to vote -- except for the University's 1993 Homecoming King and Queen, which were being chosen right across the hall.

"That was a nice turnout," he said of the Homecoming vote, adding, "I'm not trying to make a joke."

Wettstone said he looks forward to working with State College's new mayor, Democrat Bill Welch, saying, "He's a gentleman and a good student of local affairs."

Second-place finisher Lavin said she and fellow-incumbent Wettstone were helped because they ran from a base of successful prior service.

"Both of us have a proven track record," she said, adding that in her three election runs she has always run as part of a "team" of Republicans, which has helped her win.

Although she wanted Republican Joseph Wakeley to win the mayoral race, she believes she can work well with Welch.

Lavin said she would continue to act as a council voice for University students, citing past work with the absentee landlord problem.

Council member-elect Knauer said she's willing to listen and learn about her new job.

"My first priority will be to learn how things work and to listen and ask for advice from the other council members," Knauer said. But, she added, she has recently attended council meetings and discussions in preparation for her election.

She said she looks forward to working with Welch, who she spoke of in glowing terms. "He has a great memory and a great mind," she said of the new mayor, whom she worked with during her days as treasurer in the Highlands Civic Association.

But Rich Haines (senior-international politics) was not as excited with the election results.

"The whole election process is alienated to students," he said, adding that he was not surprised with the low student turnout.

Collegian Staff Writer Jeff Klein contributed to this report.