As the newest member of City Council, I’d like to use this opportunity to say thank you.
Thank you to everyone who has contacted me or talked to me about issues we are addressing as Council. Every conversation is an opportunity for me to learn and informed decisions are better decisions.
I encourage everyone to participate in the conversation both by sharing your thoughts and listening, with an open mind, to those shared by others. We may not always agree on the specifics, but we generally have common goals and can better achieve them through open conversations and informed decision making.
Thank you to everyone who attended or participated in my first town hall. It was a real privilege for me to get to hold this at Kickapoo, where I attended high school, and get to hear from fellow Zone 4 residents who were willing to invest their evening to learn about Council issues and contribute to the discussion. One of the questions that stood out to me most was: how can we help our neighbors in Zone 4? It is that attitude that helps make Springfield great and leads me to my next round of thanks.
Thank you to everyone who invest your time and talents in making Springfield an even better place to live. Whether you serve on a City board, volunteer with a local charity, are active with your local neighborhood association, pitch in with events like neighborhood cleanup days, or even simply show kindness and respect to your neighbors on a daily basis – you make a real positive difference for our community.
Finally, I am very thankful to have this opportunity to serve on Council and give back to the community that has given me so much. As a young professional who grew up in Springfield and returned to start a family, I’m committed to Springfield’s long-term vision and growth. Ultimately, my personal goal is to do whatever I can to help ensure that my son, and all other Springfield residents, are able to enjoy living in a community they love as much as I do.
I look forward to working together on achieving this goal.
Matthew Simpson was appointed by City Council to fill the Zone 4 seat vacated by Craig Fishel in March. You can reach Councilman Simpson through the City Clerk’s office at 417-864-1651 or by e-mailing him at msimpson@springfieldmo.gov.