Kruger says he has proven track record of serving Kendall as highway superintendent

Editor:

Dear Kendall friends and neighbors, let’s dispel the false rumor going around – I am not retiring. I am running for re-election as the Republican-endorsed candidate for Kendall Highway Superintendent and I ask for your vote Primary Day, June 27.

I love our community and want to serve by continuing to run a comprehensive, fiscally responsible, diversified public works department that saves you, the taxpayer, money.

I have solidly ran the Highway Department for many years and have done my very best to look out for Kendall. I have 34 years of experience at this. I believe I am very good at what I do. I like working and serving the people.

During my 34-year tenure as Highway Superintendent, in addition to the responsibilities of normal day-to-day work of the department, we accomplished many very large projects, Pprojects that normally are outsourced to private contractors.

With my skill set, we were able to complete them in-house saving taxpayers considerable amounts of money. These include major drainage projects, several water line expansions, design and building of the salt storage and equipment storage barns using off-the-shelf or re-purposed materials. I do almost all our design work, specs and machine shop work in house. For a small community, I believe I keep the town-owned roads in good shape and well serviced in the winter.

I’ve dealt with countless storms and emergencies, from the 1991 ice storm to the 2017 lake levels at their highest in 100 years, followed by near record shore line flooding two years later. These events required vast resources: pumps, sandbags, aqua dams, the National Guard, volunteers, the multi-agency coordination of Federal, State, County and Town assets. A herculean effort from everyone involved. All the logistics of these operations passed through my office under my direction.

Under my management the department has no debt of any kind; I am thrifty with our money and get the most out of our equipment. I constantly strive to generate revenues from outside sources and not the local taxpayer for large equipment needs.

There’s a natural need to replace equipment from time to time. Some of this stuff is horrendously expensive. I make frugal choices when it comes to new vs good pre-owned equipment or to rehabilitate existing equipment to meet our needs. It has taken me many years, but as of Dec 31, 2022, I have managed to save up $650,000 (Cash) money (earned from outside sources) to replace a heavy plow truck ($320,000) and a heavy truck lifting system that aids in the repair and upkeep of equipment ($78,000).

While building and still maintaining a healthy reserve fund. Over the last few years I was able to purchase a new track skidder with attachments, some good pre-owned replacement pick-ups, a small bulldozer, roller and an excavator.

Also we run a very self-sufficient shop saving a great deal of money. I am a major factor in why the Town has been able to keep its tax rate flat.

It’s impossible to include all the accomplishments and projects over 34 years as your Highway Superintendent in this writing. What is important to know is every day I provide you steady unwavering service. I am grateful to have received recognition and awards for my work and participation in the community. More recently, I was the honored by being profiled in the industry trade magazine Superintendent’s Profile, January 2020.

As a lifelong resident of Kendall and eldest of 8 children, I started working with my father as a mechanic on construction equipment. After high school, then briefly studied some drafting, but worked my entire life in the construction and transportation industries. Encouraged by family and the love for the community I grew up in, I ran and won the election for Highway Superintendent in 1989.

Although my life has centered around work and family, I also enjoy riding motorcycles and tinkering with antique cars. I am one of the founders of the Kendall Community Band and enjoy playing free concerts in senior centers, nursing homes and other charity venues. In the past I enjoyed the fellowship of the Lions Club and received a couple very gracious awards from them. Unfortunately, with the scheduling overlap with the Community Band, I couldn’t be in two places at once.

My priority has, and will continue to be, supporting the Kendall community, ranging from the Fire Department (providing equipment and assistance wherever needed, with my main participation centered in fundraising during carnival ) to assisting Eagle Scouts (most recently equipment for the Veterans Memorial), and sports boosters (soccer field lighting) and community projects like the construction of the gazebo.

I hosted and participated in every Earth Day clean up since 1990, providing facilities for class floats, Cub & Boy Scout projects and served on the Property Committee at the 4-H Fairgrounds. Also assisted churches and the Garden Club.

I have served as president of the Orleans County Town Highway Superintendent’s Association and several terms on the Board of Directors.

This job is about work ethic and commitment to the community. The friends and people I have met and served throughout the years are the real reward and whom I want to continue to serve in the future.

I would greatly appreciate your support on June 27.

Warren Kruger

Kendall