Culp, Layden Talk Township Issues

“It was a long day,” Republican Michael Culp told Patch the evening of Nov. 8, after seeing which indicated that he won against 18-year-old Democratic candidate Cole Stevens. 

“Thankfully voters came out and elected me commissioner of the First Ward. I hope to continue the great service Commissioner [Thomas] Mahoney has given residents for the past 20 years. I have big shoes to fill but hopefully I can do it.”

Looking toward the future, Culp said, “I’m a big proponent of parks. I have young kids and we use the parks a lot. Springfield has a great parks system. I’d like to see if we can build on that.”

Incumbent Commissioner Robert Layden (R) retained the Sixth Ward seat for another two years (the remaining term of resigned James Devenney) over Democrat Michael Kellar.

“I’d like to keep the quality of life in Springfield at the high level that it is by being fiscally responsible and not hurting the residents of Springfield tax-wise. I’d like to keep our parks in great shape.

“Since I moved to Springfield, I’ve been involved in the Youth Club, the , the high school Lacrosse Boosters, just anything I can get involved in. It’s just a natural progression now that my kids are older, I wanted to get involved. I was assistant committeeman for eight years for [former Commissioner] Jim Devenney and, when the opportunity arose, I seized it.

“I really like getting out and talking to everybody because I get to meet my neighbors and find out what’s on their mind, more so than just the status quo.

“The biggest issues in the township right now, in my ward, are traffic and quality of life issues. I have a lot of parks in my ward, and cut-through streets as well, which is a major issue for us.

“As for the township as a whole, we need to keep the Golden Mile the Golden Mile. Keep everything that we have at the high level that we have it, without burdening taxpayers at the same time."