First meeting of the year, first ever for McMaster
BROWNSVILLE – When Brownsville Borough Council holds its first meeting of the year Tuesday, it will also be the first meeting as a public official for Russ McMaster. McMaster, 45, has been attending council meetings regularly since 1998. He was appointed to fill the vacancy created when Councilman Walt Costello moved to California Borough late last year. McMaster was one of six applicants for the position, most of who say they will seek the seat during the upcoming primary election.
“I wanted to try to help the community, to get our town back up to speed and to help the public,” McMaster said.
McMaster first got involved with the council as a community activist when he started attending meetings in 1998.
“There were issues about road problems in the borough and I just kept coming back,” McMaster said.
McMaster said he’s always had an interest in politics, though he’s never pursued public office before. Some 30 years ago, when he was a teen, he worked as a janitor in the police department, but that’s the closest he’s been to serving in public office.
He has been married for 16 years to the former Robin Harrison. They have three daughters, Brandi, Heidi and Dayna. McMaster has been on permanent disability since 1990 when he was injured while working at the General Motors plant in West Mifflin.
Mayor Norma Ryan said she is looking forward to working with McMaster.
“He has been an avid volunteer for things in the mayor’s office and here in the borough building. He seems to be a person eager to make a difference. I look forward to working with someone with that type of enthusiasm,” Ryan said.
Ryan said McMaster impressed the council members who selected him to replace Costello by his persistence in attending council meetings and his willingness to research problems he brought before council.