As a Springfield resident who has been paying attention to the county commissioner race, it has been interesting watching the candidates’ advertisements go up around town. Sean VanGordon’s signs are modest affairs, typically found in the front yards of family homes or in the window of a family business.

In contrast, it’s difficult to tell who supports David Loveall. You’ll find his massive signs propped up in empty fields, behind the chain-link fences of abandoned car lots, or in the barren windows of closed businesses. It is so common to find a Loveall sign on the side of some decrepit structure that the candidate really ought to change his campaign slogan to “Loveall For Wall.”

In each candidate’s campaign contributions, you see the same dynamics at play. Sean VanGordon’s support is drawn from a wide coalition, ranging from local businesses to labor unions and dozens of small donations from regular people.

Meanwhile, almost a third of Loveall’s financial support this year has come from one $30,000 check written by timber magnate Kathleen Jones-McCann. Looking at the numbers alone, it beggars belief that Loveall — one of Springfield’s preeminent landlords, the man who made his fortune buying up Main Street — is anything more than a mouthpiece for even wealthier interests.

By this point, we’ve all heard the horror stories Loveall has subjected this county to, the disrespect he has visited upon its employees and the tangible, financial costs his poor leadership has and continues to inflict on taxpayers. So I’d rather conclude this letter with a positive story concerning VanGordon:

As a spokeswoman for Eyes Off Eugene-Springfield, I met with VanGordon last year, explaining to him the danger that Flock Safety’s cameras posed to my community. He was thoughtful and respectful, and while we didn’t agree on every point, he took my and my fellow citizens’ concerns seriously.

I’m proud to call VanGordon my mayor, and I’ll be even prouder to call him my county commissioner; for 15 years, Sean VanGordon has been the silent workhorse of the Springfield city government, and it’s high time the entire county benefited from his leadership.

Elliott Harwell
Springfield