Kelly Russell formally kicks off alderman campaign
Originally published April 21, 2009
By Adam Behsudi
News-Post Staff
Kelly Russell was first to file her candidacy for alderman in January, but she made her campaign official at a Monday announcement. The small crowd huddled under umbrellas and gathered around the steps of City Hall to hear the former Frederick police officer present her "common sense for the common good" campaign. "I will approach all issues with an open mind, with fairness and with curiosity," said Russell, 49. Russell has been an active part of city government and is employed part-time as Frederick 's special vehicles coordinator. The position oversees the licensing of the city's taxi fleet. In 2005 Russell retired as a lieutenant in the Frederick Police Department where she served for 22 years. She serves on the zoning board of adjustments. Russell questioned city spending under the current administration. "Our spending here on many things has skyrocketed," she said. Two examples she gave were the city's early retirement incentive plan, which independent reviews have found financially flawed, and a $121 million bond issue. She also wants to see better communication from City Hall. "Whatever administration we have in the next term, I'd like to see a move toward inclusiveness," Russell said. "At this point I don't think we're broken, but I certainly think we can be tweaked." Russell faces two other Democrats running for aldermanic seats. Michael O'Connor, former moderator of Comcast channel 10 political talk show "Pressing Issues," and Andrew Kotkin, owner of his own residential construction company, are also competing in the Democratic primary. The only Republican who has filed candidacy is Senitta Conyers, an employee with a Fort Detrick consultant and owner of an event management firm. All five aldermanic seats are open. The city's primary elections will take place Sept. 15. General elections are set for Nov. 3.
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