Latest news with #publicservant
Al Arabiya
30-06-2025
- Al Arabiya
Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life for Fatal Stabbing of 9/11 Emergency Responder
A New York man on Monday was sentenced to serve 25 years to life in prison for the fatal stabbing of a veteran emergency worker while she was on a break, according to prosecutors. Peter Zisopoulos, 37, was convicted in May of second-degree murder for killing Lt. Alison Russo-Elling, then 61, as she walked from her fire department station to a nearby store for food in 2022. She was remembered by mourners as a dedicated public servant who responded to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. There's no indication that Zisopoulos knew Russo-Elling. His public defender lawyer has said that Zisopoulos has a past psychiatric history going back to 2018. The lawyer did not immediately respond to a message left with his office on Monday. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz called the killing 'brutal' and 'senseless.' Russo-Elling was months away from retirement when she died. She was promoted posthumously from EMS lieutenant to the rank of captain. 'Today we are appreciative that her killer has been sentenced to the maximum punishment: 25 years to life. This sentencing speaks to the brutality of the crime, and though it won't bring her back, I pray it will finally give her family the closure they deserve,' said Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Yahoo
Former Cherokee County Sheriff James Campbell laid to rest
Former Cherokee County Sheriff James Campbell was laid to rest Friday at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Rusk. 'Sheriff Campbell was a true public servant and devoted his life to his community and family. Though he is no longer with us, Sheriff Campbell has left a permanent mark on both civilians and law enforcement officers that will continue to guide and inspire us,' Sheriff Brent Dickson said in a prepared statement Tuesday, announcing Campbell's death. 'Sheriff Campbell will be deeply missed, and his memory will be cherished by all who knew him.' Campbell, 81, dedicated his life to law enforcement. His career spanned 54 years, ending with his retirement in 2020. He began his career as a highway patrolman for the Texas Department of Public Safety and served a short term as Rusk City Manager before becoming Cherokee County Sheriff, a position he held for 26 years. 'Sheriff James Campbell was one of the kindest men I have ever known,' Jacksonville Mayor Randy Gorham said. 'During his tenure, he always took great care of the county as sheriff, and did so with the utmost professionalism and integrity. I am confident his legacy will continue to carry on through the officers that he trained and worked with. He was just simply a great man.' Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis worked with Campbell for nearly 30 years. 'When I started as justice of the peace back in 1993 he was still on the highway patrol. His integrity shined in everything he did,' Davis said. Davis recounted an event that exemplified Campbell's character. 'I was doing arraignments at the jail one morning when James was still a highway patrolman. He had arrested a young man for being intoxicated and was filling out all the paperwork to book him in,' Davis said. 'After he finished doing his work, he sat down next to the young man and told him that he couldn't continue drinking and running wild. He wrote his phone number on the back of his card and told the boy to call him if he ever needed to talk or if he could help him in any way.' Davis said that small act of love still warms his heart when he thinks of his friend. 'Not long after that he was appointed sheriff of Cherokee County and I couldn't have been any prouder," Davis said. "He served in that position for 26 years and was the longest serving sheriff in the history of our County. 'I worked with him all of those 26 years as Justice of the Peace and county judge and I can never remember us having a cross word. I picked at him, I aggravated him and pulled all kinds of tricks on him, but we were always friends. James loved his family, his friends, Cherokee County, and his Lord with all with all his heart. He always gave his best in whatever role he played. The legacy he leaves behind in Cherokee County is something that will live on for many years to come. 'I miss my friend.'
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lansing City Council Fourth Ward Candidate: Heath Lowry
Here are the responses from Lansing Fourth Ward Candidate 2025 Heath Lowry to the 6 News Pre-Primary Candidate Questionnaire. Website: Heath Lowry is a community advocate, attorney, and neighborhood leader running for Lansing City Council's 4th Ward. A lifelong public servant driven by justice and equity, Heath is committed to bringing a new perspective for a new future. A perspective that prioritizes transparency, inclusivity, and bold leadership to meet Lansing's evolving challenges head-on. Heath's roots in community engagement run deep. As President of the Westside Neighborhood Association, he has worked closely with neighbors to address public safety concerns, promote responsible development, and enhance quality of life through beautification efforts and civic events. He believes that real change starts block by block with people who care deeply about their city and are willing to roll up their sleeves and lead by example. Professionally, Heath brings years of legal and policy experience to the table. As an attorney, he has represented marginalized communities, worked on issues of Indigenous sovereignty, and supported survivors of domestic violence navigating complex legal systems. His background in law gives him the tools to understand and shape city policy, while his passion for service grounds his approach in empathy and equity. Heath's priorities for Lansing include expanding affordable housing through zoning reform and mixed-income developments, investing in sustainable infrastructure like sidewalks and clean energy, and supporting local workers through pro-labor contracting policies. He is a strong advocate for smart growth—development that builds up neighborhoods without displacing long-time residents. Whether it's addressing outdated zoning rules or ensuring city funds are spent responsibly, Heath brings a thoughtful, solutions-oriented mindset to public policy. One of the defining moments of his time in Lansing came in 2024, when Heath attended the Annual Dance by the River Powwow at Adado Park with his newborn daughter. It was the first public event he brought her to, and it marked a powerful personal and cultural moment, honoring his heritage while standing in community on Lansing's public land. For Heath, it served as a reminder that public service isn't just about policy; it's about people, belonging, and the future we leave for the next generation. Heath has also been a consistent presence at City Council meetings, advocating for neighborhood priorities and pressing for greater transparency in city governance. He believes residents deserve elected leaders who are accessible, accountable, and deeply rooted in their communities. Now, Heath is ready to take that work to City Hall. He's running for City Council to build a Lansing where people don't just live, they thrive. Where housing is affordable, streets are walkable, jobs are strong, and the government works for everyone. Heath Lowry for 4th Ward: a steady voice, a fresh perspective, and a fierce advocate for Lansing's future. City Council members play a vital role in shaping the direction of Lansing. As elected representatives of their wards, they are responsible for legislating city policy, approving the municipal budget, and setting priorities that reflect the values and needs of the community. Council members oversee how public dollars are spent and provide a check on the administrative functions of city government, including decisions made by the mayor's office. They also pass ordinances that influence everything from housing and transportation to public safety, environmental sustainability, and economic important is their role as community advocates and conduits for public engagement. Councilmembers listen to the concerns of their constituents and elevate those voices in policymaking discussions. The most effective councilmembers are those who can build consensus while holding true to their values and commitments to the people they me, serving the City Council means being deeply accessible, regularly present in the community, and committed to transparent and inclusive decision-making. It's more than attending meetings and casting votes, it's about shaping a city that reflects the diversity, resilience, and vision of its residents. It's a role I would carry with humility, urgency, and integrity. Lansing's housing crisis is real and urgent. We are seeing increasing demand and rising costs that are putting pressure on residents and straining our housing market. As a council member, I will make tackling this crisis a top priority, not just by increasing the number of housing units, but by doing so in a way that promotes equity, sustainability, and neighborhood need zoning reform that encourages responsible density, especially in areas close to transit, jobs, and services. This includes allowing for duplexes, triplexes, and small-scale multi-family housing in previously restricted areas. I will push to streamline the approval process for affordable and workforce housing developments and explore land-use incentives to encourage development on vacant or underutilized physical development, we must also address the systems that shape affordability. That includes advocating for tenant protections, funding home repair programs for legacy homeowners, and ensuring that city incentives are tied to long-term affordability the housing crisis isn't just about units, it's about people. We need policies that make it possible for everyone, from young professionals to retirees to working families, to call Lansing home and thrive here. Disagreements are inevitable in public service, especially when working with a diverse group of leaders committed to their own principles and constituencies. What matters most is how we engage with those differences. If I find myself at odds with a colleague or the Mayor, I will approach the situation with honesty, professionalism, and a commitment to dialogue. I believe the best decisions come from respectful debate grounded in facts, values, and community approach will be to listen first, understand opposing perspectives, and work to find common ground where possible. If consensus isn't achievable, I'll stand firm in my position while being transparent about why. I will clearly explain to the public the rationale behind my vote or stance. Residents deserve to know not only how their representatives vote, but why they vote that way.I also think it's important to demonstrate maturity and collaboration in public service. Lansing needs leaders who can disagree without dividing the community. Leaders who see opposition not as a threat, but as a necessary part of thoughtful policymaking. That's the kind of leadership I bring: principled, clear-headed, and always rooted in service. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
15-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Melissa Hortman, slain Minnesota lawmaker, attended Boston University and Harvard
Melissa Hortman, a Democratic Minnesota state representative who was shot and killed alongside her husband in what Gov. Tim Walz called a politically motivated attack early Saturday morning, was a graduate of Boston University who later went on to study at Harvard University. A massive manhunt is underway in Minnesota for 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, who police say shot and killed Hortman and her husband Mark. Boelter allegedly also shot Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette about five miles away. Hoffman and his wife were both injured and subsequently underwent surgery. Melissa Hortman's Boston ties Boston University confirmed that Hortman graduated from the College of Arts & Sciences in 1991 with a bachelor of arts in philosophy and political cience. University president Melissa Gilliam said in a statement to BU Today that the campus community is in shock. "The entire Boston University community grieves the loss of one of our cherished alumnae, Melissa Hortman, who was a beloved and respected public servant. We send deep condolences to her family, her friends, and to the people of Minnesota on this tragic and saddest of days," Gilliam said. In 2020, Hortman earned her midcareer masters in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University. Hortman was featured in an alumni profile that year. "Melissa was a dedicated and inspiring public servant. This is a devasting loss for the HKS community, and she will be missed by faculty, staff, and so many alumni who studied with her during her time on campus," a Harvard Kennedy School spokesperson told WBZ-TV in a statement following Hortman's death. The FBI is assisting Minnesota law enforcement in the search for Boelter.
BBC News
15-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Tributes paid to Surrey 'community champion'
Tributes have been paid after a councillor in Surrey who was "always prepared to champion causes he believed in" passed away. John Furey served the community of Addlestone for a quarter of a century, first as a Runnymede borough councillor and then later as a county member as Furey was first elected on to Runnymede council in 2000 with colleagues describing him as someone who gave "endless time to the community". He would go on to hold the role as leader of the borough between 2006 and 2011, as well as deputy leader of Surrey County Council in 2017 -18. Councillor Marissa Heath, who worked alongside Mr Furey said: "What I saw over 20 years [of working with John] was a man who gave endless time to the community."Everyday he was in the council or meeting residents and that included the weekends, it was his life and he did not do it for praise or reward, he did it because he was all about service to the community."He didn't back down on issues, fought hard for his residents and was very clear in his views and values so you knew where you stood with him."Surrey County Council described Mr Furey as someone with a no-nonsense approach as a dedicated and forthright public servant who worked tirelessly for the benefit of residents.
