Russ Smith in His Own Words
For the Archive: Council Member Smith's Responses to TTNC's Pre-Election Questionnaire
Originally published April 1, 2021 on Facebook.
TT:NC invited each of the candidates for City Council to respond to a short questionnaire. Each afternoon starting today, we will publish one candidate's response - unedited, in full - until we have shared all responses. We start today with City Council candidate Russ Smith...
Town Topics: Why are you running?
Russ Smith: I honestly believe that public service is a high calling. I was honored to serve the American people for 42 years in the National Park Service. I have been pleased to serve the people of New Castle on City Council for the last 2 years and am asking to continue that service.
Can you tell us about your experience and the skills you’d bring to city office?
As mentioned above, I served in the NPS for 42 years and in City Council for 2 years. In my ten years as Superintendent of Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania National Military Park, I managed some 7,000 acres containing 4 major Civil War battlefields spread over 40 square miles and dealt with four counties and 1 independent city. I also was responsible for a $5 million operational budget and supervised all aspects of the operation, including administration, maintenance, visitor services, and a federal law enforcement staff. One of our major issues was rapid development, including an attempt to build a Walmart at the entrance to Wilderness Battlefield (which we defeated), so I had to have a thorough grounding in zoning issues.
What are your two or three primary concerns for the City right now?
Dealing with the impacts of Climate Change on our city. Revitalizing Delaware Street as an active shopping area and promoting redevelopment of Shawtown. Develop the financial tourism potential of New Castle, while maintaining a high quality of life for residents.
What would you do to address those concerns?
Work closely with DNR to develop a Climate Change plan and pursue funding through state and federal sources to implement that plan. Continue to promote the Downtown Development Program on Delaware St. and parts of Shawtown.
Protect the image of the City of New Castle by promoting it's uniqueness and defending it against incorrect crime reports in the media, as well as developing a tourism plan..
What is your approach to outreach and building community consensus for important city government decisions? What are your thoughts on the current public notice and comment procedures?
Attendance at Zoom Council meetings has been very poor. The New Castle Weekly does an excellent job, but not everybody buys it. The monthly bulletin with the MSC bill is a very important tool. However, I think we need to develop a digital tool, such as an email list to communicate immediately with residents in certain situations.
One of the biggest topics in town over the last couple years has been the Delaware Street renovation project. How do you feel that project is going, and are there still questions the Council needs to address?
The project is going very well, given the vagaries of weather. Bill Barthel has done a excellent job of managing a very complex project, involving four different players. Paving should be complete in the middle of April. Council has addressed all serious questions in a timely manner.
Another issue over the last term, which will remain into the next one, was development and redevelopment – especially regarding matters of density, traffic volume and wetland protection. What are your thoughts on this issue?
There is a Transportation Plan being conducted right now by WILMAPCO. They have been very conscientious about gathering citizen input. There is also a freight study in progress. Both these studies will address environmental issues.
Density is an important issue. Previous Comprehensive Plans have encouraged gateway development and zoning has been set accordingly. This may need another look, although some property owners have already made decisions based on current zoning.
Do you have a ‘platform’ you’d like to share, or any issues that are important to you and not raised above?
My platform is that I want New Castle to be a place where people want to buy a home, want to establish a business, and want to visit.
Lastly, would you like to share one or two of your favorite things about New Castle?
As Superintendent of First State National Historical Park, I introduced many people from outside the area to New Castle. These visitors were always surprised and captivated by the town's charm and historical significance. Those attributes are my favorite things.