IN PREVIOUS YEARS…
George Russell has worked with District wide Neighborhood Crime Watch groups to make sure all City Departments and staff address the needs of our area.
He advocated to make sure Grafton, Vernon and Union Hills got the same Foot Patrols and other Public Safety efforts as other sections of the City received. When Grafton Hill Businesses saw an increase of robberies George Russell brought State & City Officials as well as Community Police Officers to meet Business Owners at his personal office to share information and address the problem.
George organized a neighborhood meeting in Quinsig Village to review and support the redevelopment of the US Steel building with the commitment to add about 300 new jobs for Worcester residents.
George has worked with the Congressman, the Mayor, and the City Manager to utilize Federal Funding for a make-over of the infrastructure on Union Hill.
George was honored to join other Greenwood Landfill Task Force members recently to unveil the new Greenwood Park. Over 3 million dollars was invested here mostly because of Neighborhood Members, and many other City officials working together with George to get the needed funding to prioritize this Park.
He helped secure funding needed to complete the construction of the mostly Federal Funded Visitor’s Center to be constructed in Quinsigamond Village. George helped form a Business Association in Quinsigamond Village and pushed to make the Walmart Way direction signs also show the way to Quinsigamond Village small businesses.
George worked with Lake Ave area residents as well as CSX & State Officials to lessen the negative impact of noise from trains and facilities. It was George’s idea to install a large MassPike sign directing trucks to Rt. 290 and away from Grafton Hill. With State Rep Donahue’s advocacy, this sign has saved hundreds, if not thousands of trucks from disrupting our quality of life.
On College Hill George helps to improve the quality of life for both the neighbors and Holy Cross students. He attends regular HC Alliance meetings of City Department representatives, and residents to address any problems.
George has supported increases in funding for our schools as well as construction of new schools.
As Past Chairman of the Committee on Rules, George Russell’s leadership has helped City Government now be more open and easier for Citizens to address the Council. George pushed to hold Big Banks responsible for vacant and abandoned foreclosed houses. He pushed for the City to use Local Banks and stop doing business with Big Banks that do not respect our neighborhoods.
It is easier for small businesses to grow and hire more employees now. George was the lead Council sponsor to change the Outdoor Dining Rules so restaurants can serve outside no matter what time off the year it is as long as weather is good. He was also lead sponsor to restructure parking lot approvals to cut some “red tape.” He also lead the effort to restore a property owner’s rights to place political signs on their property as they see fit.
George Russell stood up to interest groups from the Left as they sought the Council’s endorsement to raise taxes. And he also stood up to other interest groups from the Right when they sought to continue unfair advantage at the expense of the City on the Government TV Channel.
