Defunding Police and Fire Is Not Conservatism - Not in Russell Township

Please help me make sense of this, because I seem to have landed in some parallel universe where conservatism now means defunding our local police and fire services in Russell.

Russell Police Department

There are elements in our community who want to close the department and contract with the Sheriff’s Department for policing services. Our former Fiscal Officer lobbied me on multiple occasions to begin proceedings to dismiss our Police Chief. In my conversations with residents, I have found that many chose Russell specifically because we have our own police department. Since its founding in 1964, residents have supported the department through every levy measure placed on the ballot.

I am not going to be the trustee who unwinds that. In fact, since taking office I have taken steps to bolster the department while working with Chief Swaidner to modernize it. One item I have pushed for since day one is body cameras for Russell Police Officers. That item is budgeted for 2027 implementation, and the Chief has been gathering cost estimates this year in preparation.

Russell Fire Department

Picture taken at the July 18, 2026 Live Fire Drill at the Russell Fire Department

As a former firefighter, I understand more than most what it takes to run a professional fire department. I am deeply concerned to learn that our department has had capital needs ignored or deferred by two previous fiscal officers.

The most glaring example is our ambulances. One is nearly 20 years old. The other is over 20 years old. Both have more than 200,000 miles on them. This year, both have been in and out of service due to repeated mechanical failures, meaning for much of 2026 only one ambulance has been available. A fundamental principle of emergency services is redundancy. With both ambulances rotating through repairs, we are dangerously close to having neither in service at the same time.

I recently inspected both units. They are rusting, showing their age, and lack the technologies standard on modern ambulances. The good news: a new ambulance is expected for delivery before the end of this year, and the Board unanimously approved the purchase of a second. Combined with a new squad vehicle purchased this year, these additions will return the fire department to its regular vehicle replacement rotation.

On staffing: since 2017, our fire department has operated with part-time firefighters. There are cost savings in that model, but in 2026 we are seeing what volunteer and part-time departments across the country are seeing. The model is dying. Most of our firefighters hold full-time positions at other departments and schedule shifts at Russell around those jobs. The problem is that most fire departments today, even fully staffed ones, are running short. When a firefighter is held over at their full-time job, they cannot make their Russell shift, and we have to fill the gap.

Right now, this is happening at least once every day, and most days it is happening for both shifts. The solution is to begin hiring full-time firefighters to anchor each shift, with part-time staff continuing alongside them. This too has been met with opposition dressed up as fiscal conservatism. Let us be clear about the difference between fiscal responsibility and being unwilling to fund the services residents depend on. They are not the same thing.

The 2026 Levy We Did Not Need

Looking back at the 2025 Board minutes as I prepared to take office, the pattern was clear: 2025 was the year of the police levy, 2026 was set up to be the year of a fire levy, and 2027 was projected to require a road levy.

Here is the good news. In my first meeting with Russell Fire Department leadership, I urged them not to seek a levy this year. Through persistence on appropriations, and through the transparency I have worked to bring to our department heads and chiefs about the township’s actual financial position, the Russell Fire Department was able to build a 2027 budget that meets their staffing goals, adds an ambulance, and does all of it without asking residents for a new levy.

I am proud to have been part of that outcome, alongside my fellow trustees and the men and women of the Russell Fire Department.

The views expressed here are mine only and are intended to keep residents informed about township issues. Decisions of the Russell Township Board of Trustees are made only during public meetings.