To the Editor:

Thank you very much for taking the time to let me introduce myself. I am a lifelong resident of Stockholm and the father of two children, Shara and Cody. I started full time with the Stockholm Highway Department in 1987. For the past 10 years I have held the position of Highway Superintendent.

As the Stockholm Highway Superintendent, I am responsible for a budget of more than $800,000 and oversee five full time employees. During my 10 years as Highway Superintendent I have successfully implemented many cost saving measures.

Below is a list of some of my cost cutting ideas:

• We went from two men in a plow down to one man plowing saving the taxpayers approximately $35,000 to $40,000 annually.

• We had been working in a Highway Garage that over the years we have out grown. Our Highway Department built a much needed addition to our Highway Garage utilizing our own work force with a savings to the taxpayers in excess of $300,000.

• With the support of Supervisor Decker and the Stockholm Town Board I was able to purchase a used Dump Truck. Purchasing a used truck saved the taxpayers $60,000.

• As the Stockholm Highway Superintendent I am a hands on member of the Highway Department. I drive truck and do any other work when extra help is needed.

• I have developed a great working relationship with Supervisor Clark Decker and the Stockholm Town Office Staff. We work well as a team.

• Our Town Highway Department has started to do work for the County Highway Department for extra funding. Effective October 2011 we will be doing Winter Maintenance on County Roads to supplement our Highway budget.

If anyone is going to be out of the county or unable to get to the polls or knows of anyone away at college please contact me for an absentee ballot at 250-3619.

I look forward to the opportunity to serve you for another four years.

Be sure to vote on Election Day, Nov. 8. The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Again, I would appreciate your support on Election Day.

Jeff Russell

Stockholm