endorsements
Endorsements
I am proud to endorse Rita Russell for Mayor of Englewood. Rita provides the citizens of our city with wisdom and thoughtful guidance in shaping policies and procedures that move Englewood forward. She understands the critical issues that must be addressed to ensure progress, while at the same time preserving the unique charm and appeal that make Englewood a special place to call home.
Rita’s leadership is marked by honesty, transparency, and respect. She fosters open dialogue with council members, city staff, and residents alike, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued in the decision-making process. Her ability to combine vision with collaboration sets her apart as the kind of leader our community can trust.
With her dedication, integrity, and forward-looking perspective, Rita Russell is the right choice to guide Englewood into the future. I wholeheartedly support her candidacy for Mayor and encourage my fellow citizens to join me in casting their vote for her leadership.
Respectfully,
Cathy Naughton, Educator
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Why Rita for Mayor? Few cities are as unique as Englewood. Surrounded by larger municipalities on all sides, it’s imperative to understand that current trends may not be in the best interest of our city. So how do you know the difference—where do you turn to grasp the ramifications of legislation—to envision what works for this City? In this moment of time?
When I moved to Englewood seven years ago, I needed to answer those questions. I needed to find someone who could discuss the issues with a thoroughness that could cut through the hyperbole of political chatter and lay out the truth of the situations that would guide Englewood for the next few years.
I didn’t have to look far. With the fall elections approaching, Rita was walking the neighborhoods and speaking with residents. She introduced herself and her ideas for Englewood’s future. Discussions about increasing density were on the table and there were some heated discussions already beginning to press on the future development of Englewood. Rita was acutely aware of the pressures of development and the divisive issues of unchecked development over citizen choices. She did not acquiesce to the predetermined agenda that would push Englewood’s infrastructure beyond its limits and put tax obligations for growth on residents instead of developers.
It takes someone strong to hear the voice of the people over the drone of developer profit. And someone even stronger to stand up to it with a dissenting vote if necessary! She has the capacity, the continuity of knowledge and integrity that has gained the respect of businesses and residents alike. Her approach is grounded in common sense and a reputation for listening to her constituents.
If you believe that Englewood needs that strong voice on council and that kind of leadership as Mayor, then you have found the right candidate in Rita Russell to fill the position of Mayor in 2025. Great leadership creates a great city!
Jan McCoy, Englewood Resident
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In the past, Rita Russell has been elected to City Council. This year, she is running for Mayor, which essentially means that she would be doing the work of a City Council member, plus representing the City at all ceremonial events, serving on numerous committees composed of other Mayors and officials, attending numerous conferences, etc. As pointed out by her other Endorsers, Rita has been an exemplary Council member for nearly 10 consecutive years. I have no doubt she will maintain her record for all-around excellence and will add to it new accomplishments.
As a lifelong resident of Englewood, Rita has an understanding of the history and growth of the entire south suburban area that should be of great value in establishing warm and strong relationships with her fellow Mayors and other officials. That and her common sense should lead us into better formal relations with our neighbors than have, perhaps, been possible in the past.
It has been an honor for me to know Rita and is an honor to recommend that she be elected Mayor of the City of Englewood.
Respectfully, Gerry Allan, District 3
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It is with wholehearted enthusiasm I offer my endorsement of Rita Russell for another term as Councilwoman for the City of Englewood, Colorado.
Rita has been a voice of common sense for as long as I’ve known her. I’ve watched Rita and how she responds to many different situations. Rita has always impressed me with her ability to patiently wait and listen before she forms answers and conclusions.
Bev Maes, Englewood Citizen
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We have been acquainted with Rita Russell for over forty years. We are pleased that someone of her intelligence, abilities and communication skills is willing to represent us on the city council of Englewood.
Rita Russell is a good representative and takes seriously the work that being on the city council requires. We hope that those of you who want a well-run city and one that is held responsible how “the money” is being spent will vote for Rita.
Jeff and Janet Gorman, Englewood Citizens
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Englewood Needs Rita Russell
Rita Russell continuously works hard to represent the Citizens of Englewood. Her attendance at City Council Meetings, Study Sessions and Mayor Manager Meetings is excellent and she comes well prepared to address each agenda. Every vote she casts is the result of hours of personal investigation, citizen input and a deep concern for the future of Englewood and always done with respect for the tax payers she represents. She is independent and not afraid to stand alone in her beliefs if necessary.
Rita is the most “accessible” member on this current City Council whether you contact her by phone, e-mail or in person. She makes herself available to meet at least twice a month with any interested citizens – both in am and pm to accommodate the schedules of citizens. These informal meetings allow us to hear updates on happenings in our City and sharing of ideas and concerns on any topic. The atmosphere is respectful and educational. Rita has sincerely fostered the inclusion of every Englewood resident in government decision and her example should be followed by all council members.
Maureen White, Englewood citizen
Dear Englewood Citizens,
I encourage you to please support and vote for Rita Russell for the At-Large Candidate Position for Englewood City Council. As an Englewood voting citizen and resident of Englewood for 65 years, I would like to share my own experience with you concerning Rita Russell.
Rita is a person of very high integrity and takes the responsibility as a council person to work for all the Englewood Citizens and does not pick and choose. She realizes the responsibility of city council persons are to be nonpartisan and she takes that seriously.
With Rita’s knowledge and experience sitting on the council for the past eight years, Rita is prepared by reading the Weekly Packet and addressing the many issues that come before council, as this is the duty and responsibility of all council members!
Rita has been excellent for our city. She knows how to deal with the issues and works collaboratively to get her point across respectfully. Rita is the best candidate to represent the interests of our city’s homeowners by regularly holding town hall meetings and also morning coffees to get citizens view points, and inputs. By participating in citizens views and input, citizens trust her and feel they have a friend that is looking out for both the citizens view and the City of Englewood. If she does not have an answer for a specific question, she will look into it and find the answer.
Again, I encourage you to please support and vote for Rita Russell for the at-large position for the Englewood City Council election in November.
Respectfully,
Ida May Nicholl, Englewood Citizen
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Rita Russell has been one of the best City Council members I have known since I began paying attention in 2003. She reads the background information and asks questions. She really cares about our city. She has held monthly meetings with us for the whole time she has been there. She really wants all of us to know what is going on and what is proposed.
For 6 months in 2018, she was the mayor when Joe Jefferson became the municipal judge and did a good job. The meetings were orderly and efficient and good things got done. She has lived in Englewood most of her life and has seen it grow up. She cares about preserving our history and really wants thoughtful growth.
I recommend we re-elect Rita Russell in the upcoming election.
Doug Cohn, Englewood Citizen
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I endorse Rita Russell for Englewood City Council At Large with confidence. Rita works to promote openness in city governance by having meetings with Englewood residents three times a month at locations throughout Englewood. Rita also holds meetings at the Simon Center to include Englewood residents who cannot travel to her. During these meetings Rita Russell informs residents of the ongoing issues before City Council, both issues up for immediate approval by City Council and those issues that are in the works. Rita takes the time to explain the details of the issues that impact Englewood. Residents are also able to talk with Rita one-on-one and bring up their own issues.
During her term as Council Member, Rita Russell has served on several committees: as liaison on the Code Enforcement Advisory Committee and the Budget Advisory Committee. Rita Russell also serves on the Malley Center Trust Fund board and the Non-Emergency Employee Retirement Board. To keep abreast of developments in housing, Rita also attends routine meetings on the Englewood Housing Authority.
Rita also serves as Mayor Pro Tem, attending the weekly Mayor/City Manager meeting to set the agenda for City Council meetings. As Mayor Pro Tem, Rita also chairs City Council meetings and performs other official duties when the Mayor is unavailable.
For four years, Rita Russell has responded to emails and phone calls directly with researched answers and often works with people inside the Englewood government to get help for residents. Rita is respectful of resident’s concerns and she works to communicate how the process of governance in Englewood works.
I am confident that Rita Russell is committed to working to meet the changing needs of Englewood Citizens. I am also impressed with her restraint in the face of aggressive opposition to open governance.
Rita Russell does the work with integrity.
Cynthia R. Searfoss, Englewood Citizen
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Rita grew up in Englewood, as did I. She went to Maddox, Cherrelyn, Sinclair and Englewood High School. I went to Charles Hay and Flood and met Rita in high school where we became good friends. She was a very good student; she was smart, dedicated, hard-working, friendly and involved, just as she is now. Some things in life don’t change.
The city of Englewood is now benefitting from those same excellent qualities: intelligence, character and integrity. Rita always dedicates an enormous amount of time and energy working hard for Englewood and its citizens. She thoroughly reads the information provided to her about important issues facing Englewood and comes to every City Council meeting and study session prepared; she listens and communicates well and offers thoughtful questions, ideas and concerns.
In addition to the many skills that her experience as Mayor Pro Tem brings to Englewood, is the distinction of her total of eight years of experience on City Council. Experience matters, and it brings with it that much more benefit and value, more insight and vision to successfully plan ahead for Englewood’s future.
Julie Klusener, Englewood Citizen
