Springfield City Councilor Jill Cuadros voted along with other councilors in June to approve the budget that closed the library on Mondays, laid off its teen services librarian and cut all teen programming.

To be fair, she wasn’t on the council yet when the library cuts were discussed. Springfield’s budget crunch is real, and every councilor voted for that budget. But Cuadros is the only one of them on the upcoming ballot, and her campaign website says she is committed to “listening to residents and remaining accountable.”

It’s time for that accountability. We’re 18 and 20-year-old brothers, both graduates of Springfield High School. This is our first time voting, and we’re voting for Callee Ackland in the City Council race.

Ackland listens to Springfield residents. When the city first proposed cutting nearly a quarter of the library’s funding last year, she heard the community’s concern and helped lead the Save Springfield Library campaign, organizing library patrons of all ages who packed council meetings for months. She put herself out there to speak up for the city employees who feared retaliation, for the working parents who couldn’t make it to the meetings, and for the teens who have no vote in a matter that impacts them. 

Due in part to her advocacy, Ackland has now earned the endorsement of SEIU Oregon, which represents most city of Springfield employees among many others; Springfield Education Association, which represents teachers and certified staff at Springfield Public Schools; United Academics of the University of Oregon, which represents educators, researchers and librarians at UO; and the Oregon chapter of American Federation of Teachers, which represents over 19,000 educators and childcare workers across the state. 

Ackland cares about the youth of Springfield. She understands the importance of free, safe, accessible third spaces. She wants the next generation to have a brighter future.

We’re part of Springfield’s next generation, and we’re voting for Callee Ackland.

Aaron and Abraham Constantino
Springfield