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[Home] [Back to Letters of Support] LETTERS Supporting Russ Lura FROM: From Russ Lura, himself. I am running for the office of Village Trustee. I believe I have the required skills and experience to be a good Trustee, and I hope I can count on your vote. I have been endorsed by the Democratic Party and am running on both the Community Party and Democratic Party lines. My goal as Trustee would be to ensure that Hamilton remains a good place to live with affordable taxes and a strong economic base. Village residents and the Village Board have worked hard over the years to achieve the quality of life we now have, and I think I can bring additional expertise to ensure that we continue to prosper. My experience includes being the Planning Director for Madison County for 21 years. As Director, I was involved in many planning, economic development, environmental, and community development activities throughout the County-all issues that the Village Board confronts on a regular basis. I was responsible for developing two business parks, assisted in the development of three others-and in Hamilton, I was in charge of developing the master plan that led to the purchase of the airport property, wrote grants that brought over $400,000 to the air park, and developed and administered the Empire Zone Program that included the Hamilton Airport and business park. I also developed and administered a small business loan program that is still available for use by area businesses. In 2005, I served as the first Madison County administrator for 3 years, during two of which I was also the Budget Officer, responsible for preparing and administering the County's $110,000,000 budget. During those two years, despite an increase in the total budget, both the tax rate and tax levy went down a very unusual event in today's environment. I retired in 2008. My community service includes the Board of Directors of the Hamilton Little League (when the Hook Wiltse Fields were developed) Board of Directors of the Community Action Board, and Board of Madison Lane Senior Homes. where I am currently serving as Board president. I also volunteer at the Hamilton Food Cupboard. I believe my knowledge of municipal affairs, my experience in planning, zoning, economic and community development, and my commitment to public service make me a good candidate for Village Trustee. I hope you will vote for me on June 15th. Russ Lura We are fortunate to have a host of qualified candidates running for Village office in the upcoming election. I am proud to speak on behalf of Russ Lura. Russ has served this village and Madison County for over thirty years in a variety of capacities that are already well documented. He has also quietly served the youth of our community for years, as an officer in the Little League, AYSO; and, our senior citizens, as Chair of the Board of the Madison Lanes Senior Homes. Russ brings to the trustee position a rare wealth of experience in planning, budgeting, and community development, as well as a commitment to and love for our youth and seniors. He has what it takes to help our village creatively and responsibly respond to the challenges that we all know will face us as we seek keep Hamilton a wonderful place to live, learn, and raise a family. Harry Jarcho Wow! What a great village we are going to have after June 15! Three of six well-qualified candidates will be elected to serve Hamilton. Russ Lura and I have worked together over 20 years, first in county governments in Wampsville, in past years at Mid-York Senior Homes, and lately at the Hamilton Food Cupboard. Russ excelled as he advanced from county planning director to budget director and administrator. We are fortunate to have a caring candidate of his caliber run for village trustee. I know Debbie Sill Kliman from serving with her on the board of the Mid-York Senior Homes. She studies each issue thoroughly before voicing an opinion. She is a candidate who always loved the village in which she grew up. After retiring from a successful career, she returned to Hamilton with her husband, Harvey, to enjoy its benefits and make it even better by serving on the village board. Take time to read the qualifications of the two candidates for village justice. Each understands the special problems of a college town, has a clear perspective on how to administer justice, and stands out in his own way. Having served many years ago as Hamilton’s town and village justice, I understand the challenging demands of this position. Bob Kuiper 6/12/10
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