RITA FOR MAYOR 2025
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as one of your At-Large City Council representatives these past 10 years. It has been a great privilege and one I have not taken lightly. You have voiced your concerns at my Town Hall meetings and “Coffees with Rita” and it will continue to be my goal to make certain your voices are heard.
Unanimously elected Mayor Pro Tem during my tenure on City Council, I presided over City Council meetings; set priorities with the City Manager; and worked closely with the City Attorney and officials of other cities and governmental agencies. I am a more effective Council member for having served in this capacity.
In the last election, an overwhelming majority of you voted to have an elected mayor going forward. That choice is now in your hands—the decision is up to you!
My common-sense approach, ability to listen, to prioritize and to advocate are reflected in my record. And as a longtime resident of Englewood, knowing where our city has been, can sharpen our focus for the future.
Vote Rita Russell for Mayor—
Vote for leadership that listens!
RITA'S VISION FOR ENGLEWOOD
As a Council member, I promise to open and keep open the door to our City Government with transparency and regular communications. I would greatly appreciate your vote!
A TIMELY REVISIT...
In looking over past notes I came across a list of my top priorities when I was first elected to City Council. My two priorities were Public Safety and Cutting Wasteful Spending. I believe it is very timely to revisit this discussion once again.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Public Safety has always been one of the priorities we care about most in Englewood! We all want a safe environment in which to live and raise our families. To that end the citizens of Englewood have been very supportive of our men and women in blue. In November of 2016 the electors in Englewood passed a ballot initiative approving a $32M G.O. bond to build a state-of-the-art building housing the latest technology for our Police Department.
It is an amazing facility we can all be proud of! In January 2018 City Council purchased a Lenco Bearcat armored rescue vehicle for our Police Department. City Council has supported additional Police Officers as well as approving Alternative Policing Programs including co responders, case management personnel, restorative justice, substance abuse, crisis services and mental health services that have increased our budget by $1.8M annually since 2018. These Alternative Policing Programs account for a large portion of our General Fund Budget.
However, budgets are not created in a vacuum. We have 20 more police officers today than we did 20 years ago. We need to explore alternatives that will address the rising crime rate without increasing cost to the community. I have heard from constituents they would like to see more openness and transparency when Police are interacting with the public and integrating upper management into activities that are more visible in the community.
CUTTING WASTEFUL SPENDING
Which brings me to my second top priority when things get tight for you and I, we reevaluate our priorities and maximize our resources. In the current economic climate, I do not think it is unreasonable for you to expect your City Government to do the same! What citizens expect is a place to live where residents and businesses feel safe and can depend on their elected officials to live within their means.
I consider it a great honor and responsibility to be your public servant. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your questions and concerns.
God Bless You All!
We can bring Common Sense Leadership to Englewood!
Rita Russell