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	We normally interview candidates in contested elections, but we wanted to interview Charlie Purcell because he is running for office for the first time.  Purcell is running uncontested for Lansing Highway Superintendent.

Charlie 'Cricket' Purcell is a lifelong Lansing Resident.  He and his wife, Marcella, have two sons, Daniel and Alec.

Purcell has worked at the Lansing Highway Department for 22 years, and has been the current Highway Superintendent Jack French's Deputy Superintendent for the past nine and a half years.  With French retiring at the end of this year, Purcell is running to take his place.  The Lansing Star caught up with him at the Highway Department office earlier this week.

   Lansing Star: Why are you the best candidate and what unique benefits do you bring to the job?

Charlie Purcell:  Over the 22 years I have always strived to learn.  I have been willing to help and push new things.  I think I've excelled at understanding the infrastructure pieces better.  Before I came here I had experience in the construction field.  To come here was a great honor for me.

My grandfather was Highway Superintendent in Cayuga Heights for 26 years.  I always enjoyed that line of work.  I was in his back pocket all the time as a kid.

Twenty two years ago I was fortunate that (former Highway Superintendent) Pete Larson gave me a shot.  I certainly appreciated that, and I tried to do my best to follow his footsteps and share his vision for the Town.  Jack and i have tried to stay on a good course to do the best for the taxpayers and residents.

I look forward to the new challenges and trying to do everything in the most cost-effective manner.  There is always new technology.  Sometimes you have to think outside the lines a little bit to say 'this job would cost X amount.  If we try this and do this part differently... I've always been willing to do whatever we need to do to get things done.

There are people that have lived here for years upon years and maybe I've never crossed their path.  But to run into different people with different challenges, to have an opportunity to meet them and try to help solve problems and get the work done, overall I would say it's pretty enjoyable.  I enjoy talking to people and doing the best I can do to help them.

   What would you say are the greatest challenges the Highway Department faces today?

I think the greatest thing is economics.  We all strive here at the Town to hold the bottom line, but also provide top-notch service.  That's the toughest part, because aterials, equipment... nothing gets cheaper.  As we move forward that's one of the big challenges.  To keep up with the infrastructure and not ask for big increases in our budget.

We've done really well over the last several years and held the line on the budget with minimal increases.  A challenge is the different projects that we take on that other municipalities wouldn't entertain.  The economics, moving forward is going to be the biggest challenge.

   You have spoken out about capital and equipment planning.  There are certainly different opinions among the Town Board members as to how that should be done, and I have seen that is frustrating for town department heads.  Ideally, how would you like to see that implemented?

We've had some good conversations about moving forwardwith some sort of plan.  We still have to figure out how we're going to fund these things.  We've been in limbo, kicking the can down the road for the last several years, so to speak.  We have been able to replace a couple of trucks and a couple of other pieces of equipment.  It's important to get set up on a good schedule so we can forecast (purchase needs).  We're moving in the right direction, selling old equipment while there's still some value left in it to help offset the cost of the new equipment.

In the past we ran equipment until it was worth nothing, and we absolutely had to replace it.  There are some good options today.  The bigger picture is, our infrastructure isn't getting any younger.  We've got an aging water system, and we're getting more and more sewer through the right pieces of the Town.  If you look at everything, people like good roads.  We've got to put our heads together and come up with a solid plan to make sure we can maintain them in the future, and provide that quality for the residents and the taxpayers.

The political hot potato on the Town Board right now is whether to have equipment reserves, or whether the department should just ask for the money each time it needs it.  If reserves are not established or not funded, can you still have a five year plan or a ten year plan?

  No, without a plan to go forward it would be very tough to do a five or 10 or 15 or 20 year plan.  You have to forecast what's going to come due for replacement, your best guestimate of the cost, and whether the money is going to be available.  In the past we've had to say, 'we're in dire need of X, Y and Z.  We're looking at $220,000.  If you have a reserve for that purpose it's a matter of board authorization to move forward.

I have talked to the board about commitment.  Commitment is a strong word.  I have asked the board to be open to the idea that we would do our best to plan X amount of dollars.  It's tough to commit without knowing the assessment rolls or how many businesses are coming in... there are so many variables to make that budget work.

In your brother's (Lansing Fire Chief Scott Purcell) baiiwick they have a 20 year plan.  It's not just a plan for what they're going to need, but also for how they're going to pay for it.

  Correct. I think that's the important part.  I'd like to think that the Town Board is thinking about where we need to be looking.  I commend the Fire District 100 percent.  They've put together a great plan, and they've stuck to it.  It's nothing but a benefit to the taxpayer in the end.  We certainly should be looking at that same thing moving forward.

A lot of our funding for the Highway Department comes through sales tax.  In past years there has been a nice excess of sales tax.  If the mentality back then was more geared toward shifting that money back in the right direction, we could be in top-notch shape.  But that's neither here not there now.  When I say 'commitment' -- that's what I'm looking for -- some sort of commitment that says, 'Here's my Plan.  This is where we need to go with it.'  If that number is $180,000 every year in the reserve fund, it would be nice to have that Board's support to make this happen, because at the end of the day the Highway Department is a huge piece of what the town is.  To the majority of the people in the Town the Highway Department is the Town.

   It seems as if you and Jack French have worked well together.  What changes, or new initiatives would you like to see in the department going forward?

I don't see any big changes.  I've been fortunate.  Jack and I have worked closely for the last nine years.  We both have a lot of the same thoughts as to what should be done and how we go about it.  The great part is that he has always given me the liberty to give things a whirl and see if we can do it.  I've made him cringe a few times, but it's always worked out.

I don't forsee a lot of big changes.  I think we run a pretty good ship here.  Most of the residents and taxpayers are happy.  I certainly look forward to continuintg that good quality of service that this department has provided  since the day I came to work here.

   Have you considered who should move up to the Deputy position?  What qualities will that person bring to the position?

I think about it a lot. I don't have anybody pegged at this point.  I am looking for somebody that kind of brings the same traits to the table that I do.  I set my standards high.  I try to base it on... if I was doing it for myself at my house, how would I want it?  That's what I like to see.  I look forward to having somebody who is willing to step up to the plate and who is a good communicator with the public.  The big piece of the pie is communication.  A lot of people are happy to have things done.

It's like when I started with Jack.  I came to work every day and gave 100 percent, and we got this stuff done.


   I guess it would be a different kind of work for whoever comes up, because I see an enormous stack of paper on your desk right now.  Whenever I come in here I see there is a lot there.

  We deal a lot more with water and sewer issues.  We are taking care of storm water stuff.  There is a lot going on almost every day of the week.  It's a matter of splitting our duties to make sure it's covered.  That's where Jack and I have worked well, because we make it a point to communicate well with each other and make sure the nut's covered, so to speak.

   What would you like people to know about your candidacy that we haven't talked about?

  My biggest thing is I look forward to continuing a solid commitment to the taxpayers and the residents.  They'll get top notch service from a top notch department.  We have a lot of good guys that work here.  I certainly look forward to 'driving the bus'.  It was a little bit of a tussle to decide to run... do you want to be a leader or do you want to be a follower?  I believe I'm a good leader, so I look forward to leading the ship.

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