Garwood General Election Profile: Russ Graham

GARWOOD, NJ — Garwood's general election on Nov. 3 has four candidates running for two open three-year seats on the Borough Council. Incumbent Russ Graham, 66, is one of two Democratic candidates running.

Graham, who is retired, has served on the Borough Council for the past 2 years. His family includes his wife Julie.

Graham has an Associates Degree in Computer Science from Raritan Valley Community College.

Are you running for office in Garwood? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at alexis.tarrazi@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Clark-Garwood Patch.

Russ Graham

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have devoted a good part of my life to service. I served in the United States Navy for four years and became a combat veteran before reaching the age of 19. I served the professional organization ASHRAE, for the heating and cooling industry, on the Board of Governors and all of the officer positions for 11 years. In Garwood, I served on the Board of Education for 4 years and I have been on the Borough Council for the past 2 years. All of these experiences have instilled in me a desire to continue serving the residents of our town.

The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Public safety is the most pressing issue. I believe it is the top job of the Council to ensure the people are safe, whether it is from COVID-19 or another challenge. I stand by and support our first responders. That is why I voted to support the purchase of a rescue ladder truck last year. Prior to this purchase, there were more than 40 existing buildings, including the school, that our volunteer Fire Department could not reach or it was questionable as to whether or not they could reach them. As Buildings and Grounds Chair, I have worked closely with Borough departments to make sure they are keeping employees and the public safe during this pandemic. Finally, I have spoken publicly about pedestrian safety concerns and appreciate all the Police Department has done and will continue to do to increase safety on our streets.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Frankly, the Republican Party in Garwood has a history of incivility and being ineffective at getting things done over the past decade. On the other hand, the Garwood Democrats have shown a vision for progress supported by concrete ideas. We know how to get things done. For instance, we championed the Hartman Park revitalization project, created the Green Team, established a first-ever Citizens Advisory Panel, and have prioritized infrastructure projects. We are getting more roads paved and incorporating the use of Belgian block curbs, which are easier to maintain and look better, without costing more than the concrete curbs we used in the past.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Fiscal responsibility is a key item on our platform. It's important we keep a tight budget and invest in smart purchases to properly equip departments and to prioritize public safety. For example, this year, we were looking at a tax increase of $61 on the average home, but once the COVID-19 pandemic showed how negatively it was impacting people economically, we worked very hard and made very difficult decisions that cut the budget down to a $0 flat budget. Difficult decisions included a hold on capital equipment purchases, no raises for non-union staff, and less money set aside to save in the capital improvement fund.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a Councilman, I oversaw the final stages of the Hartman Park revitalization project, which came in under budget and is enjoyed by many families in town. I proudly supported the purchase of the platform rescue ladder truck in 2019 and supported the flat 2020 municipal budget. As the Buildings and Grounds Chair, I helped fix the fire alarm system at the Recreation Complex firsthand by making sure we got the right company in who could do the job properly.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Listen to people when they express their opinions regardless of their point of view. There are usually many things that we agree to even when we don't see eye to eye.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Back when I was running my own small business, I never imagined I would one day be elected to public office. First, with the Board of Education and now with the Borough Council. It has been a great joy and honor to give back to Garwood, the community I have lived in for the past 30 years with my wife, Julie. We are all neighbors in Garwood, even if we don't live right next door or across the street. I am forever grateful to the people of Garwood and they are my single motivation for doing the best job I possibly can.