Candidate Bios: Greencastle City Council Ward 1

The following is part of a series of biographies of local municipal candidates for the upcoming election.

Editing by the Banner Graphic news staff is minimal for only style and clarity purposes.

Russell Harvey

Russell Harvey

Russell Harvey is a dedicated community advocate and currently serving the First Ward on Greencastle City Council.

I’m a husband and father with a deep understanding of local issues and a strong commitment to public service. I am dedicated to making a positive impact on our community.

I am currently the executive director for Main Street Greencastle. I’ve spent nearly two decades prior in purchasing and planning at local manufacturers and also have a strong background in sales.

I’ve also worked some physically tough, lower-paying jobs. I know what it’s like to struggle, and I’ve experienced having enough. Being a single father before becoming blended family with my wife and bonus children, I understand the challenges that many families face.

I have recently served on the Greencastle School Board and have been a part of positive changes within the corporation like increasing teacher pay and one of the largest improvement projects in the corporation’s history. As a U.S. Navy veteran, I try to display my commitment to community by serving on various boards, volunteering and serving as a mission/service coordinator at my local church. Throughout my career, I have tried to demonstrate effective leadership and a collaborative approach to problem-solving.

My vision for Greencastle includes promoting sustainable development, improving public infrastructure, supporting law enforcement and emergency services and ensuring transparency and better communication to the public from local government.

We need more green spaces in the First Ward. There are limited areas for kids and families to safely play or enjoy outdoor spaces. Especially on the north side of the ward. In general, it would be great to see the overall landscape softened and warmed by adding greenery and flowers throughout the community.

We need sidewalk improvements. In some areas, there aren’t sidewalks at all. While there have been recent pay increases, we still need to dedicate better funding for our law enforcement and emergency services.

We also see the need for clearer communication from local government regarding large projects, construction, and changes to communities. Sure, these things hit the paper and there are public meetings, but we have information gaps that need to be filled. All of these things not only make for safer communities, but they foster a sense of community pride that carries over into many aspects of our day-to-day lives.

Ultimately, I want to hear from the people. What do the people in the First Ward want to see? How do they see our community? What are the needs? What’s on the wish list for the community?

We can’t manifest it if we aren’t dreaming and sharing those dreams. It sounds cliché, but we have to change the community culture until it doesn’t. I’m blessed to represent the community — not to represent myself or a party or any organization.

I hope to continue that work. With integrity, experience and innovative ideas, I’m ready to serve the residents of Greencastle and create a brighter future for all.

David Masten

A reasonable question to ask is why one would want to run for City Council. If it’s for the money, you would be in relatively big trouble; I am unsure what the salary is now, but when I served in the late ’90s, it was enough to pay for gas coming and going to meetings, little else. If it’s for power, you have come to the wrong place. By state statute, a council member has no more individual authority than any other citizen. Only as a body can the council pass resolutions and ordinances, and thereby affect the workings of city government.

So what is it that has led me, and the other candidates, to throw our hats in the proverbial ring?

As I move into my later years, it’s a way for me to continue serving the community into which I was born, and have remained throughout my life. I’ve been blessed to grow up here, receive a wonderful education with many great teachers (both in Greencastle schools and Wabash College, the Athens of the Midwest); to meet, marry, and grow with Teresa the past 51 years; to raise our children, Greg and Stefanie, in our hometown; to make our living here (I as a former heating and air conditioning contractor, and for the past 24 years, as a real estate broker and appraiser; Teresa as a highly-regarded registered nurse); and a real biggie, to have Stefanie work with me in my profession.

For further background, I served on the council from 1996-2000, a time when many significant issues faced the city. I changed career direction in late 1999 that presented potential conflicts of interest with council work, so I decided against running for re-election. Subsequent to that decision, I developed the former Pool’s property, and worked with Collins Evans Real Estate and Helmer Appraisal, both firms having my undying appreciation.

I had two full terms on the Putnam County Foundation Finance Committee, which provided a window into that organization’s good works. Since 2014, I have been on my own, appraising commercial properties throughout the state. I’m now in semi-retirement, so I think it’s the right time for me to jump back into the mix.

I spent many years in organizational politics prior to first running for office. There is little doubt that as a younger man, my strongly-held beliefs were often worn on my sleeve. I still have those beliefs, centered on individual freedom and responsibility, but have a more mature appreciation for our role on the City Council.

We are not deciding the great issues of the day — our task is to make sure the trash gets collected; snow is plowed from well-maintained streets; water flows when one turns the tap (and is then treated appropriately); and to spend taxpayer funds responsibly.

I’m running as a Republican, but if there was such a thing, I would run on the Greencastle Ticket. It’s been my home for 68 years and where it will remain after my demise, should Forest Hill have me.

I’d be proud to serve again, particularly with this impressive group of Republican candidates, and would appreciate First Ward voters’ consideration.