Johnson, Sweeney seek support to represent East End

Superior’s 4th District council seat is changing hands following the April 2 election.

Councilor Jackie Stenberg is stepping down, and candidates Jack Sweeney, a former county board member, and Mark Johnson, an intervention coordinator at Superior High School, are stepping forward to serve as the new representative of the East End District.

Both candidates come to the race with the ability to solve problems, but it is experience where they differ.

Johnson, a lifelong resident, draws his experience in working with governing bodies from work he’s done as an organizer for the Tony G. 3-on-3 basketball tournament which has raised about $100,000 for legal studies scholarships and other causes in the community.

Sweeney is no stranger to local government; he served on the county board from 2005 to 2012, when redistricting pitted incumbent against incumbent and 10 votes decided the 9th District supervisory race last year. Even after leaving the county board, Sweeney continued to serve on the Douglas County Jail Task Force and represents Douglas County on the NorthernBridges board of directors.

Sweeney made the decision to run for city council after learning Stenberg planned to give up her seat at the end of her term.

“I would not have run against Jackie Stenberg,” Sweeney said.

Johnson said his experience as an intervention coordinator at Superior High School —working to mediate issues between teachers and at-risk youth — has given him the necessary skill to work with other councilors on behalf of the city.

“I think I can come up with something that would benefit everyone,” Mark Johnson said.

While the city council sometimes faces tough decisions, Mark Johnson said his experience as an intervention coordinator has taught him how to bring people together by listening to both sides of an issue and effectively solving problems.

“As a lifelong resident, I am committed to be a voice for the community, listen to everyone and make decisions based on the facts,” Johnson said. “I’m a young person committed to the community.”

Sweeney, a fiscal conservative with experience in for profit and nonprofit sectors of the economy, says he has the time and energy to serve residents in the district and solve problems in the community.

“When I sign on for something I go 100 percent,” Sweeney said. “I’m always prepared and always ready to ask questions and always ready to solve problems.”

Tags: news, politics, superior