Ben Simons (politician)

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"My history teachers in school are to blame for this. They were the ones who really encouraged participation in what's going on. They really emphasized how the 18-to-24-year-old demographic has such low voter turnout. They encouraged us to be the change in that."

— Ben Simons [8]

In November 2018, Simons, a self-identified Republican, [8] was elected mayor, receiving 41% of the 359 ballots cast, defeating two other candidates who had filed, as well as others on seven write-in ballots. [4] The Seattle Times reported, "News of Simons' win sparked a wave of stories and interviews from Roseburg to the United Kingdom." [5]

His two-year mayoral term started in January 2019. [4]

As mayor, Simons has met challenges such as turnover in city councilors, and the February 2019 "snowmageddon" storm. [9] Simons also spearheaded a town waste water project and improved roads. In addition, Simons led an effort that reopened the town's library, which had been closed since failed Douglas County tax initiatives in 2017 caused libraries to close. [6] [10] He said his goals for the town in January 2020 included improving drinking water in Yoncalla, and continuing to work on the town's infrastructure. [6]

While serving as mayor, Simons has also actively served as a volunteer firefighter. [5]

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References

  1. "Former Yoncalla mayor offers advice for newly elected 18-year-old". KEZI News. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  2. "Local Election Results". KEZI News. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  3. @Oregonian (January 23, 2019). "Ben Simons was sworn in earlier this month as mayor of Yoncalla at age 18. Today happens to be his 19th birthday" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Swindler, Samantha (January 24, 2019). "Oregon's teenage mayor takes office in Yoncalla". The Oregonian . Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Egener, Max (December 16, 2018). "18-year-old mayor Ben Simons of Yoncalla prepares to govern". The Seattle Times . Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 Garza, Evita (January 9, 2020). "Yoncalla mayor, now 19, looks to the future". KEZI News. KEZI . Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  7. Campuzano, Eder (November 10, 2018). "No 'Parks & Rec' jokes: Oregon's teen mayor is here to get stuff done". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  8. 1 2 Darling, Dylan (November 25, 2018). "Yoncalla's 18-year-old mayor-elect took the call to vote a big step further". The Register-Guard . Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  9. Cegavske, Carisa (December 29, 2019). "February 'snowmageddon' storm wreaks havoc in Douglas County". The News Review. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  10. Kavanaugh, Shane Dixon (June 30, 2018). "An Oregon county closed all its public libraries. These rural, DIY book lovers revived them". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
Ben Simons
Mayor of Yoncalla
In office
January 1, 2019 (2019-01-01) January 1, 2021 (2021-01-01)