There are a variety of reasons Russell shouldn't be elected to anything. Here are but a few.
- David Marciniak · Top Commenter · Culpeper, VirginiaSo when a candidate is an unknown, I Google, and that has led to some troubling questions. First, does Jon view elected office as a commitment? Or will he quit before his term is up here too? And second, a couple of sites reference allegations that $100k went missing while Jon was chair of the finance council in Washougal. Can Jon provide an explanation for the allegations that this happened under his watch, and provide assurances that our hard-earned dollars that we pay in taxes will be safe? And third, will he promise to focus on town issues, and not just use this as a way to get noticed on the bigger stage?
- Jon Russell · FollowFollowing · Top CommenterHi David, Thanks for giving me a forum to answer your questions. I am always available to answer any question over the phone. You can find my number on my website at www.jonrussell.us Let me take your questions one at a time.
1.) First, does Jon view elected office as a commitment? Or will he quit before his term is up here too?
Answer: It most definitely is a commitment. I was twice elected to council and in the middle of my second term I was offered a job in Virginia. After 8 years in Washington this gave me an opportunity to be closer to my mom and dad so we took the opportunity. When there are children involved I think you can appreciate the need for them to know their grandparents. I was honored that my city gave me an award for 6 years of service upon my departure.
2.) A couple of sites reference allegations that $1...00k went missing while Jon was chair of the finance council in Washougal. Can Jon provide an explanation for the allegations that this happened under his watch, and provide assurances that our hard-earned dollars that we pay in taxes will be safe?
Answer: I think you are referring to blog sites set up by a political consultant of one of my former primary opponents. It's unfortunate that people have to resort to negative politics by establishing websites that spread personal anger through distortion. In regards to the 100k, you may want to reference my former colleagues letter to the editor in the Culpeper Times. Our former mayor was accused by state auditors of mishandling 100k in revenue generated from an event she put on in the city. When investigators could not find the money, I called for her resignation and she resigned.
3.) And third, will he promise to focus on town issues, and not just use this as a way to get noticed on the bigger stage?
Answer: As I stated in the Culpeper Chamber candidates forum. the town needs to focus on the things we have control over and not political issues on the state and federal level. When we get into those kinds of political issues, no one wins. I have been apart of bringing national issues on the local level, and I learned I was wrong in doing so.
David, I am open to answer any questions, I have an open door for anyone who wants information. I hope this gives you the answers you need. See More
Here was my response:
- K.j. Hinton · Top Commenter · I run the joint at Doin' Political Stuff.
As much as I can appreciate Russell's responses here the facts speak for themselves.
Russell's commitment is to himself. In 2010, he ran two campaigns for two different offices. When the congressional campaign fell apart, he then got clobbered running for state representative.
Russell was using his city council seat as a launching pad for higher office. Fortunately for us all, his abysmal congressional campaign was a complete failure, as was his fall back campaign for State Representative... where, had he won either, I would have found myself in the unfortunate position of being a constituent. Clearly, he was no longer interested in being a city councilman, and towards the end of his tenure, he missed the majority of meetings that he was supposed to attend.
As much as I appreciate Councilman Shoemaker's position on Russell, that changes none of the facts of the matter.
The $100K went missing on Russell's watch as a member of the city finance committee. That's not an issue of motive on my part; that's an issue of fact.
The money has never been found.
These are facts. He says one thing and does another. History has a way of repeating itself... and people get the government they deserve. This is one of those cases.
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