During the Springfield City Council meeting April 20, there was overwhelming support from Springfield and the greater community for Callee Ackland to fill the interim Ward 4 position. While the City Council went on to select their third choice that evening, we Springfield constituents have another chance to rightfully select Ackland for that very spot come November.

I first became aware of Ackland through her work with the effort to save the Springfield Public Library from budget cuts. Since then, I have been lucky enough to witness her incredible listening skills, agility in handling challenging conversations, ability to facilitate multiple perspectives on issues, tenacity and laudable organization skills in both personal and public spheres.

What has become clear to me is that Ackland is a candidate truly for and of the people. And I don’t mean that in a flippant and cutesy manner. Ackland’s own stated priorities are ones that reach across the political spectrum: affordability, livability and sustainability. These priorities center on the people, not corporations (e.g., data centers).

As a local healthcare worker, I see people having to opt out of potentially life-saving medications in order to pay rent or utilities. I see people avoiding healthcare because they are fearful of compounding debt. I see the unhoused and under-housed being exposed to healthcare crises because of ever-increasing extreme weather events. Ackland is the candidate with a clear vision on how to address some of these issues affecting our communities.

I believe her experience as a current renter and previous small business owner would be an incredible asset to the current slate of council members.

Please join me in voting for Callee Ackland for the Springfield City Council Ward 4 position this November. If the words I’ve just imparted aren’t helpful enough, please take the ones from my 9-year-old, who stated that Ackland is the right choice because she is “nice, unique and amazing.”

Tasi Clancy
Springfield