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Former Mayor Bob Russo Endorses Thrive Montclair's Starr Daniels

April 22 - Essex County freeholder candidate and former Montclair Mayor Bob Russo has announced his endorsement of Starr Daniels, Thrive Montclair's candidate for Councilor at Large.

"Starr is an experienced businesswoman and mother who has been volunteering in this town for years," says Russo. "Starr worked with me on my last campaign and during my years as Mayor on education issues, advocating for solar panels on school buildings and supporting a 'green' school at the new location."

Daniels is a construction professional who owns her own Montclair-based construction management firm, Daniels Construction Management. She is the former co-president of Montclair's PTA Council, former co-president of the PTA at Watchung School, and well known for her commitment to the Montclair Public Schools.

Russo served as Montclair's mayor from 2000 to 2004. He recently retired as the state's lemon law director for the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and is currently an adjunct professor teaching American Government at Rutgers-Newark and Montclair State University. Russo's latest bid for Essex County Freeholder further demonstrates his commitment to serve.

"Even though we are not running together, I feel we are on the same ballot. I want her to win as much as myself. I trust her like a sister."

Daniels says she is honored that Russo chose to endorse her. "Bob was clearly ahead of his time as Mayor of Montclair, having brought together people from all walks of life regardless of their background or experience, " says Daniels. "He had a special knack for getting people who wouldn't work together to work together, something I plan to do in my new role on Montclair's Town Council. Bob is a man of all the people."

The Thrive Montclair slate, under the slogan "Your Voice...Your Money...Our Future," was the first to announce its candidacy for Montclair's Town Council in December, 2007. In addition to Daniels, Thrive candidates include: Ted Mattox for Mayor, Sumana Rangachar for Councilor at Large, Roger Plawker for First Ward Councilor, Mark Reynolds for Second Ward Councilor and Joanna Brick for Third Ward Councilor.