Public Service and Why it Matters

The following article was written by Aiden Yang, a recent graduate from South Eugene High School, who served as an intern for the Springfield Chamber of Commerce for two weeks in July 2021. He furthered his interest in public policy and government through his internship at the Chamber, working closely with Paige Sharpe and the entire team with projects related to Chamber membership, as well as taking the opportunity to connect with several public servants in the Springfield Area. Aiden interviewed Oregon Representative John Lively and Springfield Mayor Sean Van Gordon for their perspectives on community service, and recapped his takeaways in the article below.

Thanks for being a part of our team Aiden, we loved having you and we look forward to your success in all of your future endeavors!

Being a public servant, whether it be from an elected position or through a job for the government, is a demanding and honorable service. These individuals work daily to make sure their communities, specifically here in Springfield, are constantly being maintained, improved, and supported. Whether it be elected or employed, public servants care tremendously about the community and their constituents who are at the forefront of their minds. 

I am Aiden Yang, a recent graduate from South Eugene High School, and am going to a liberal arts college this fall. Currently, I am an intern with the Springfield Chamber of Commerce. I have always had an interest in public service and public policy, recently taking big steps to explore that interest. I interned with the DeFazio campaign last year, and this year I wanted an experience with local government and public service. Over the course of my internship, I had the privilege of speaking with several public servants in the Springfield area.

For Oregon Representative John Lively, representing and improving his community is priority number one. Public service has always been paramount to Representative Lively. The former Springfield City Councilor and Mayor always wants to interact with his constituents via text, call, or email to learn about the issues they are passionate about. It is extremely important to listen and hear what the community and constituents have to say.  Representative Lively listens to the community because he wants to continue to improve your life here in Springfield.

Private business is vital to the economy and community. Representative Lively spoke about the importance of small businesses and how helpful the Springfield Chamber of Commerce is to them. As the strength and size of our small businesses grow, so does Springfield. The Chamber of Commerce promotes these local small businesses and acts as a spokesperson for many. To help small businesses, even more, Springfield is very friendly to development, as there is a willingness between business and government here to try to find a way to get new projects to work.  

Springfield Mayor Sean VanGordon wants to keep pushing the community forward, guiding Springfield to reach its full potential. He truly loves this community and is driven to help improve it. For Mayor VanGordon, public service is fulfilling and allows him to develop an incredible belief and hope in the city’s future. Serving as interim Mayor, Mr. VanGordon has become a better leader, and his tremendous appreciation for Springfield has grown even more. He envisions Springfield as a city of choice, where citizens are actively seeking out Springfield as a place to live because of its incredible growth and appeal. Mayor VanGordon wants to keep improving infrastructure, economic development, transportation, and housing. He believes, like all of us, that we must get past 2020. To do so, we must work collaboratively. We must move past the pandemic, the ongoing wildfires, and the political polarization and upheaval. We must look into the future. This community and this city, as a people, must be together, as one, continuing to make Springfield a great place to live. 

Public service is necessary and occurs in every city. What truly makes public service special is the change and inspiration one can bring about in it. These public servants care about the community, they care about you. They want to make your life easier, they want to make your community a better place. With incredible examples and role models like Rep. Lively and Mayor VanGordon, it is hard not to be inspired by the public policy work they do. As I keep exploring my interest in public policy and public service, my interactions and impressions of Rep. Lively and Mayor VanGordon will shape how I go about each and every day in my future endeavors in the field.