In addition to the many contributions he made in Kilmarnock, Virginia, as a member of the Lancaster County Board of Supervisors, Dr. Russell was a big supporter of area youth. He could often be found rooting for local teams. In 2009, he proposed a plan to help teens acquire work experience and skills in a summer employment program called Youth Works. Working with Lindsy Gardner, Lancaster Community Library director and the president of the Visions board, they secured financing for this program from the duPont Fund. With this financing, matched in part by local support, and administered by the Rappahannock Community College, this program is in its fourth year and continues to successfully prepare students from Lancaster and Northumberland County for the world of work
Dr. Russell was an active and vocal member of the Visions Economic Development Committee. As part of his work for this group, he shared his vision for the Northern Neck region. This was his vision:
"In 2022, Northern Neck's economic vitality equals its natural beauty and county amenities. Driving through the Neck, which hugs the shores of the Potomac and Rappahannock to the pristine waters of the Chesapeake Bay, you see the creation of a collaborative region. The Neck is meeting the challenge of global competition with a creative economy driven by leadership, innovation and declaration of interdependence.
"Townships and counties are thriving. A proud common heritage helps find new ways to meet challenges and prosper together. Bike paths make connections from river to river, and the Rappahannock Community College Learning Centers move citizens and companies forward with continuous improvement and high performance workplaces. New wealth is generated and poverty has disappeared.
"Regional staples, tourism and agriculture, built around skilled workers and entrepreneurial employees are thriving. Technology parks are occupied at capacity. Retail space is at a premium as growth in aquaculture and hydroponics creates jobs and high incomes. Partnerships and the expansion of broadband have created a geriatrics niche in health care. Research and telemedicine are attracting both retirees and health professionals to the region. Taking advantage of the region's Telework Centers, thousands of Northern Neck residents telecommute to urban areas across the globe. They use the new regional airport to periodically visit corporate and home offices.
"Along with its beauty, the Northern Neck imbues a distinctive ambiance and brand. When people think of the Northern Neck, they think about character and quality - the character of citizens that make things happen through collaboration, consensus, and leadership. Volunteers building houses and stewards of nonprofit organizations, leading downtown beautification and helping the disadvantaged.
"Loyalty to local businesses is part of 'growing our own' and the unemployment rate of 2%. Quality is part of our heritage: Top notch customer service at five star resorts and marinas, amenities such as fishing piers and kayak/boat landing facilities. The region has state of the art school facilities and education systems second to none. There are skilled craftsmen, journeymen electricians, doctors, lawyers, students and grandparents. They are motivated, in part, by what they see others doing on the Northern Neck."
Dr. Jack Russell truly embodied the work of Visions with his own vision and commitment to improving lives in the Northern Neck. He will be sorely missed.
