Ep. 123 with Mike Russin, Candidate for Windham Town Council

“Halloween Hit Pieces & Town Council Truth: Michael on Waste, Efficiency & Standing Firm”Michael, a Windham select board candidate, joins Chuck for a raw, unfiltered convo on local government, media smears, and why he’s running. Halloween > April Fools: “You scared me. Boom.”Key Topics:Government Waste: Towns spend on wants, not needs. No long-term planning (e.g., sewer systems) leads to bond debt & tax hikes. “We cut here to say we’re keeping taxes down—but we’re just wasting over there.”Efficiency First: Michael will dig in post-election. “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” Positions may be cut—only essential jobs survive. “If it’s taxpayer-funded daycare, go to the private sector.”School Budgets: Biggest line item. Handled by school board → council → voters. Transparency needed.Media Smear (Portland Press Herald): 40-min interview → 1 quote. Old accusations rehashed only because he’s running. “Hit piece, not journalism.” Result? More support. “Truth is a lion—it defends itself.”Past ≠ Present: 20s = fast money, party lifestyle (Wolf of Wall Street vibes). Now: Saved by grace, married, 3 kids, successful businesses. Sexual misconduct claims? “Patently false.” Full investigation cleared him. Women who worked for him: sparkling reviews.Why They Hate Him: White, Christian, masculine, nuclear family, outspoken. “I’m everything they despise.” Can’t be canceled. “Bullets bounce off.”Voter ID (ME Question 1): Common sense. Free IDs for those in need. “Calling it racist is racist.”Graham Platner vs. Michael: One backtracks. One stands firm. “People want genuine, not flip-flopping.”Call to Action: “We need more men to stand up. Trump can’t fix it all. This is war—ideological war.”Final Word: “What you see is what you get. Leadership. Humility. Care.” Vote Nov 4th | Windham Select Board Yes on 1 (Voter ID) – voteryesforme.com “I’ve been through the fire. The dross is gone. I’m ready.”