2026 General Election
Re-elect Rush Town Supervisor LEE HANKINS
Dear Friends and Neighbors:
It’s hard to believe I face an election to be your Supervisor for the 3rd time in a year! I am ready to report and to ask for your support once again.
It has truly been both a privilege and a challenge. When I came to this job 10 months ago, I had to quickly master the ins and outs of the office pretty much on my own. There were a lot of people uncomfortable with change, and some insiders flat out did not want me to succeed. Despite that, good things have been accomplished on your behalf. Armed with this hard-won proficiency and successes, I now seek a full 2-year term. I am enthusiastic and determined to continue the complex work of fixing long-standing neglected problems and bringing fiscal responsibility and new growth to our town.
One year ago, I told you I would not maintain the status quo. I meant it then and I say it again now. But here’s the thing — there are vested interests in BOTH PARTIES who fight needed change. They’re often content with the way things are, and unwilling to face the fact that our town is under intense pressure from many directions. The rising costs of insurance, fuel, utilities, employee health care and benefits, fire, and emergency services – these are just a few of the areas that demand we move forward with fresh ways to manage and conduct town business.
Protecting our town requires practical analysis, careful planning, decisive action, and disciplined fiscal management. That is exactly what I offer. My life and work experience have prepared me well to serve as your Town Supervisor. I do my best every day to stay focused on the facts and the results we need to improve our town.
Consider these examples:
* In this year’s operating budget—prepared by my predecessor—$80,000 was earmarked for legal expenses and litigation. The board hired two attorneys: one for land use, and one for town administration. Our land-use agreement works well: costs are controlled, applicants pay fees, and our building department and sub-boards get all the support they need. Town legal costs, however, were another story. After a month into the job, after the first bill arrived, I raised concerns – after three months, I raised the alarm. A Town Board member from my own Party was routinely calling the attorney at more than $335 an hour—billed to you, the taxpayer—and others were calling too.
I made it clear that costly legal consultation needed to be approved first – either by me, as Fiscal Manager, our Town Clerk, or by board motion. Of course, many were upset and spoke out against the directive. But I stood my ground and the board agreed. The data on overspending could not be ignored. The policy was followed and our September bill dropped from more than $10,000 to less than $4,000. If given a full 2-year term, I intend to further reduce these exorbitant fees.
* In just 9 months, without terminating anyone, we have merged job responsibilities and eliminated unnecessary titles. We are getting the same high level of service and have saved over $100,000 dollars in payroll plus benefits. And again, people so attached to the status quo made a lot of noise, and others jumped on it to make political hay. But you elected me to be the fiscal watchdog of your money, and I take that seriously. I’m responsible and want to be held accountable for making the payroll fit the actual workload.
*Past administrations have consistently underestimated town revenue and overestimated expenses during budget preparation. This has created surplus funds—an unexpended balance—greatly in excess of what is needed for emergencies and unforeseen expenses. Rather than use this excess to maintain and modernize the Highway Department, Town Hall, and Town Parks, this money was partially used to increase salaries and benefits for a chosen few.
In contrast, my proposed 2027 tentative budget starts to return a portion of this excess money to you, the taxpayers. With board approval, we will draw $113,597 from the surplus and reduce the General Fund tax levy by 24%. This action keeps our overall town tax rate low; and still leaves $1,351,579 or 74% of the proposed general budget in the surplus account for cash flow and emergencies, far above the town’s target of 30%.
* One issue I have studied in detail is the tax exemption for seniors. I wondered why more seniors of modest income did not quality. My study uncovered the fact that seniors were required to add certain money as income, when in fact that was not needed. Dropping the requirement means that more Rush seniors will be eligible for reduced taxes.
* We started to apply for state grants to pay for infrastructure upgrades and prevent stormwater flooding in the Hamlet, Town Hall Campus, and other vulnerable areas in town. I continue to monitor the Invenergy Horseshoe Solar project, and Golah substation upgrades, to make sure area residents are not harmed by these large power producing projects.
And importantly, a year ago I told you I wanted to implement an economic marketing plan to attract new businesses to Rush. I reaffirm that: We can grow AND preserve the unique qualities of our town. And grow we must. It is the only way for our tax base to keep pace with ever-rising Town expenses. The alternative—an endlessly increasing tax burden—is otherwise inescapable.
Standing for election forces you to talk about yourself and your accomplishments. I am not one for grandstanding. I am a quiet, soft-spoken business leader who takes the time to listen, study issues, and work with a team to resolve complex problems. The challenges of managing our town will never be met by political theater at Town Board meetings. Getting caught up in that does not help me do the work you elected me to do.
I want to be judged on results. I am not interested in trying to become a politician. I am a detail-driven Supervisor – a public servant – fighting every day to preserve and improve our town. I am a decades-long resident who knows and cares deeply about the people and the land of Rush. There are bright days ahead for our town if we cool the political drama, take time to learn the facts, realize our common vision. and work together for the future for our town.
I ask for your vote for a 2-year term as your Supervisor to do just that.
Respectfully,
Lee Hankins
leehankins2026@gmail.com
(585) 703-2082 personal cell/text Plan Your Vote For Lee! Vote for Lee on Row A or Rush Neighbors Together
Democratic Members of the Town Council (Town Board)
