Meet Maren Castillo
Physiotherapist, park volunteer and Ward 4 resident since 2014, running for a nonpartisan City Council seat (sample candidate).
Why she is running
Maren moved to Linden Street with her partner and two bikes in 2014 (sample). She has treated half the ward’s knees and shoulders at the Grove Road clinic, and heard the same complaint from most of them: the sidewalks.
She joined the city’s sidewalk advisory panel in 2021 and learned how repairs are chosen. The answer was: mostly by complaint. She wants a public list, a fair order and a council member who explains the delays.
Where she has served
Unpaid roles in the ward, in the order they happened.
Riverside Park friends' group
Volunteer, then chair from 2018 to 2023. Raised money for the new benches and the play area fence (sample).
Grove Road school safety walk
Mapped the routes children take to school with parents and the crossing guards (sample).
City sidewalk advisory panel
One of nine resident members until 2024. Proposed the public repair list (sample).
Elm Avenue library hours survey
Collected 640 replies on opening hours with library staff (sample figures).
How she appears on your ballot
City Council seats in Springfield are nonpartisan, so no party name is printed next to any candidate. Look for the contest bar with the office, then her line.
- One vote in this contest: fill in one oval only
- Use a dark pen; do not tick or cross
- Ask a poll worker for a new ballot if you make a mistake
Vote for one
To vote, fill in the oval next to your choice completely, with a dark pen.
Right
Wrong
Wrong
Nonpartisan office (sample candidate)
Print a name that is not listed
Sample ballot layout (sample candidate). Your official ballot lists every candidate in this contest.
Questions for Maren?
Ask about a street, a school or a budget line. She or a volunteer replies within two days (sample).