By Seven Bolejack, Agnes Stewart Middle School student
Mayor would be an interesting job to have if you liked the idea of being president but on a smaller scale.
You would have to work on resolving the city’s problems, and the city would quickly fall apart without a mayor. I know that if I were put in the position of mayor of Springfield, I would work on fixing the problems I see on a daily basis as an average citizen.
The things I am going to list could greatly improve the desire to come to Springfield and make it a better place for current residents as well.
Addressing road issues
First and foremost, I would work on fixing the roads. Springfield has a lot of roads that are in need of repair, which can lead to dangerous driving conditions and damage to vehicles. To address this issue, I would put aside funds from the city budget to repair roads and also seek grants and other forms of funding from the state and federal governments. I would also work with local contractors and engineers to ensure that the repairs are done to the highest standard.Additionally, I would start a road maintenance program that would involve regular inspections of the roads and prompt repair of any damage.
A plan for the homeless
Next, I would address the issue of homelessness in Springfield. Homelessness is a major problem in many cities, and Springfield is no exception. To tackle this issue, I would work with local non-profit organizations and shelters to provide resources and services to the homeless population, including food, shelter, and job training. I would also work with the city council to provide incentives to local businesses to hire homeless individuals, giving them a chance to get back on their feet. Furthermore, I would establish a task force to look at the root causes of homelessness and find solutions that will help prevent it from happening in the first place.
Beautifying the city
As well as that, I would work to keep Springfield clean and litter-free. A clean city is a sign of a thriving community, and it can have a positive impact on the health and well-being of its residents. To achieve this goal, we would need a city-wide cleaning campaign that would involve the entire community. This would include regular litter pickups, removing graffiti, and improving the maintenance of public spaces.
To get the community help with these things I would create advertisements for TV and posters around town. I would also work with local businesses and schools and put up posters around town to educate people on the importance of keeping their premises clean and encourage them to take pride in the appearance of their community. To add to this, I would allocate sufficient funds from the city budget to hire more street cleaners, park attendants, and other city workers to keep Springfield clean and attractive.
Let’s have fun!
Finally, making Springfield a more fun place to live by promoting more fun activities for residents. This would include organizing community events, festivals, and other public gatherings that bring people together and promote a sense of community. In addition, I would work with local businesses to promote local tourism and encourage them to provide more fun activities for visitors. I would also put aside funds to improve parks and recreation areas and make them more attractive to families and children.
In conclusion, as the mayor of Springfield, I would take a comprehensive approach to tackle the issues facing the city in which I see every day. With the focus being generally on making the city more appealing and fun to future and current residents. I believe that I could make Springfield a better place for its residents if I were mayor.
Mayor selects public school students for state competition
Springfield Mayor Sean VanGordon invited Springfield public school students to participate in the “If I were Mayor …” contest held annually by the Oregon Mayors Association.
Mayor VanGordon selected Thurston Elementary student Kaylin Collins and Agnes Stewart Middle School student Seven Bolejack as the top finalists heading to the state Oregon Mayors Association competition.
The contest was open to elementary, middle, and high school students. Hundreds of entries were submitted from SPS schools. The winners selected from each school were then forwarded to VanGordon to determine the top entries that would be moving on to the state contest.
“The SPS entries emphasized just how compassionate our students are and how much they care for the Springfield community,” VanGordon said.
Students will be recognized at a future City Council meeting in addition to being highlighted on the City’s website and shared on social media.
First place statewide winning student(s) in each category will win $500. These students will receive their prizes at the awards luncheon held during the OMA Summer Conference in Hood River, Aug. 10-12. Second and third place students win $300 and $100 respectively.
OMA Contest winners:
■ Kaylin Collins, Thurston Elementary
■ Aaliyah Smith, Two Rivers Dos Rios Elementary
■ Briannah Bourgeois, Riverbend Elementary
■ Gracious Carter, Maple Elementary
■ Jude Chase, Guy Lee Elementary
■ Luna Alderfer-Rosenbrock, Douglas Gardens Elementary
■ McKenzie Robinson, Walterville Elementary
■ River Bangham, Elizabeth Page Elementary
