The City of Greensboro will begin accepting applications for the City Council’s vacant At-Large seat beginning on Thursday, Jan. 2 and that application period will remain open until Friday, Jan. 17. The City Council seat became vacant upon the death of longtime City Councilmember Yvonne Johnson earlier this month.
Johnson, who ran the non-profit One Step Further to benefit troubled teens and others, served on many area boards and commissions and was a longtime council member. She also served for two years as Greensboro’s mayor and as the city’s first black mayor.
For those interested in filling the seat, applications can be found online beginning on January 2 at https://form.jotform.com/212298004807050.
Currently, the online application form is unavailable.
As is called for in Section 3.02 of the Greensboro City Charter, applicants must be a Greensboro resident (living within the city limits) and must also be a registered voter of voting age.
The online application will include questions for the hopefuls and will give those who would like the fill the vacant seat the option of uploading a resume.
Every applicant will get the chance to speak on their qualifications for the position during the Greensboro City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
In order to keep the process from becoming too lengthy, applicant presentations will be limited to five minutes each.
During that same City Council meeting, following those speeches, the sitting council members will vote on who would be best to fill the seat formerly held by Johnson.
The newly chosen member will be administered the oath of office during the Tuesday, Feb. 4 City Council meeting.
Johnson, who was a leader in Greensboro in many roles for decades, passed away at the age of 82 on Wednesday, Dec. 4, and, though many city residents didn’t appreciate her left-leaning political views and votes, she was widely respected by political allies and opponents alike.
Johnson had been ill for a while through late 2024; however, her sudden demise came as a surprise to many when it occurred in early December.
For nearly a decade and a half, Johnson had been serving as an At-Large member of the Greensboro City Council.
From 2007 to 2009, Johnson served as the city’s mayor.
The last time the council filled a vacancy, about four years ago, it followed a process similar to the current one and received about 50 applications.
Those who were fans of Johnson say that the council member taking over her At-Large seat will have some big shoes to fill.
The day after Johnson passed away, NC Governor Roy Cooper posted his thoughts about Johnson’s life on social media.
“Yvonne Johnson was a dedicated public servant and friend who led Greensboro with courage, passion and a sense of justice,” he posted on X. “I am grateful for her good work and the positive changes she helped make and my prayers are with her friends and family.”
Unlike council members elected by districts, an At-Large seat council member is meant to represent everyone in Greensboro.
Will the appointee then be up for reelection next year?
Let me guess. . . .they need to be from east Greensboro, they need to check with Skipper to see who he wants on the council. . .and of course, they need to be a democrat.
Why not have a special election?
If Ms Johnsons seat was an at large designated member then a city wide referendum should be held to fill it. Not just the hugely democratic majority of the council.
I agree with you. . .but that won’t happen. The current leaders in Geekboro will come up with someone politically connected to ensure the flow of money and connections remains in the hands of the democrats.
This might come as a surprise to you , but Greensboro is a Democrat ran city. In a democratic county. In a purple state
You can have a citywide election if you want, A Democrat will still be elected
Then so be it Benjamin but the people who are to be represented by an at large member would have chosen, not just Skip Alston. The way it works now this appointed person may have to stand for election at the end of Yvonne Johnsons term but will then have been the incumbent which carries a good bit of weight in Greensboro.
Must be DEI certified.
Benjamin, you are correct. That’s why a young person recently called Guilford County and Greensboro cesspools, which they are.
Based on the free publicity he’s getting, my bet is on Yvonne’s son. It’s shameful the news stations are giving him such free press and ignoring other candidates. I am not against him. I don’t know him. It just seems rigged.
Yes. This is why Yvonne Johnson’s Son will be selected to serve out her term. It will give our current mayor and City Council to get a head start on maintaining their power in next years election.