Bruce Rutherford pours his heart into Bucks County, “Moving & Shaking” things up in his hometown of Doylestown.  If there's an event you love to attend in town, chances are that Bruce Rutherford (CB East, 1980) has played an important part in it.

Refusing to let physical challenges slow him down, Bruce is involved in a many local initiatives – the Rotarians who invest thousands of dollars into the community, the committee behind the popular Doylestown Arts Festival, and the Doylestown at Dusk Car Show, of which he happens to be the founder & chairman!

Oh- and did we mention he's running for Mayor, too?

Bucks Happening spoke with Bruce about his passion for “Moving & Shaking” the community:

BR: Although physical challenges make it more difficult for me to get up and out in the morning, I look around me and can see many other people who are much less capable than me. Seeing them cope and achieve what they can makes me realize how lucky I am to be able to do the things that I do. This keeps me focused on striving to achieve my goals in many different areas, my business, community involvement, and socially. One of my mottos is “My life is not about what I can’t do, it’s about what I can do.”

BH: Who inspires you?

BR: I look up to my mother who turned 90 this year and still lives a fully independent and mobile lifestyle on her own. She is still very active in the community and helping others while taking care of herself and her home. Also the man who nominated me for this award who exhibits excellent business ethics and family values while participating in and supporting many community organizations. He is always willing to lend a helping hand to any deserving friend.

BR: I did not achieve high marks academically or scholastically while in high school and was not motivated to attend college so I went to work for my father after graduating. Through the family business, I learned a lot about ethics and values as well as the importance of relationships and commitments. There are many lessons learned in life that are not taught in school.

BH: Which achievement are you most proud of?

BR: Most recently I have been able to increase the caliber and size of a small community event I had been involved with for a long time to a level that involves much of the town businesses and population. The Doylestown at Dusk Car Show started as a small show on the field of C.B. West High School many years ago. In 2010 I made the decision to move the show from the field to the streets in town. It grew to include half the downtown streets and over 400 show cars annually.

BR: The physical challenges I deal with every day make it hard to walk, stand and move about freely. Still I endeavor to keep pace with others everyday and don’t use it as an excuse not to try.

BR: In November of this year I hope to win the election to the office of Mayor of Doylestown Borough. If elected to office I want to increase the visibility of the Mayor position and use it to elevate the business community and town as a whole.

BR: Kind, Energetic, trustworthy, compassionate with a great sense of humor. Vertically challenged.

BH: Where’s your favorite location (restaurant, park, etc.) in Bucks?

BR: Doylestown!