Akron’s newest City Council member said he didn’t think he’d get the vacant seat, and for much of Monday evening’s City Council meeting, it seemed Mark Greer could be right. 

But after four rounds of anonymous paper-ballot voting by the existing 12 council members trying to select the replacement for at-large member Jeff Fusco, the longtime local politician who retired in March, Greer was the first candidate to ultimately receive majority support. 

George Johnson, a veteran labor leader who rankled supporters of the Citizens’ Police Oversight Board back in 2023 with his staunch defense of the Akron police union, was one vote shy of claiming Fusco’s seat in the second and third rounds of secret voting before council took a brief recess to print more ballots. (In an interview with Signal Akron after Monday’s meeting, Johnson rejected the claims he’s against police oversight. He said he’s an favor of systems less likely to be in conflict with the police union’s collective bargaining agreement)

George Johnson, who was one vote away from winning the vacant at-large seat on Akron City Council in previous rounds of voting, shakes Mark Greer's hand after Greer secured a majority of votes in round four. At left is N.J. Akbar, who was also an applicant for the job.
George Johnson, who was one vote away from winning the vacant at-large seat on Akron City Council in previous rounds of voting, shakes Mark Greer’s hand after Greer secured a majority of votes in round four. At left is N.J. Akbar, who was also an applicant for the job. Akbar stood up and cheered when Greer was announced as the winner (Doug Brown / Signal Akron)

With the pen marks on the freshly printed ballots tallied on the fourth attempt, City Council President Margo Sommerville announced that Greer received eight votes, leading to cheers from people in the chamber’s packed benches, including fellow applicant N.J. Akbar, who was sitting to Greer’s right. 

Greer had entered the packed chambers just minutes before his victory became official — he was promptly sworn in by Summit County Domestic Relations Court Judge Kani Hightower. The term ends on New Year’s Eve in 2027.

“I didn’t have anyone standing with me because I expected to just be home and checking email” for the results of the vote, Greer said as he stood at his new desk and made his first public statement from inside the council horseshoe. 

Fortunately for Greer, home isn’t too far from City Council chambers — records show he lives downtown, a short walk from his new workplace.” 

Akron City Council Member Tina Boyes congratulates Mark Greer as he takes his Akron City Council seat for the first time Monday.
Akron City Council Member Tina Boyes congratulates Mark Greer as he takes his Akron City Council seat for the first time Monday. (Doug Brown / Signal Akron) Credit: Doug Brown / Signal Akron

Greer highlighted Akron’s history — a topic he is quite familiar with as the executive director of Akron 200, Inc., the nonprofit that organized the city’s bicentennial celebrations throughout 2025. 

In March, Greer was named the chief development and engagement officer for the Development Finance Authority of Summit County. 

Prior to leading the bicentennial efforts, Greer worked for the City of Akron’s Office of Integrated Development, Leadership Akron, and as the advertising manager for a magazine about piano education after teaching “keyboard harmony” at Malone University. Greer holds a bachelor’s and a masters’s degree in music.

In his April 15 cover letter, Greer promised to:

  • “Listen actively to residents across all wards and bring their voices to the Council chambers.”
  • “Work collaboratively and respectfully with my Council colleagues and the administration to advance our objectives and deliver positive, tangible results.” 
  • “Gain the trust of our communities in representing and addressing their concerns.”
  • “Join in our shared mission to improve the lives of all Akronites and uplift the city we call home.” 
Fran Wilson, kneeling, talks with Phil Lombardo as Linda Omobien looks on while council members wait for additional ballots to be printed. Lombardo initially supported former Council Member Tara Mosley Weems before backing Greer. Wilson and Omobien backed Greer.
Fran Wilson, kneeling, talks with Phil Lombardo as Linda Omobien looks on while council members wait for additional ballots to be printed. Lombardo initially supported former Council Member Tara Mosley Weems before backing Greer. Wilson and Omobien backed Greer. (Doug Brown / Signal Akron) Credit: Signal Akron / Doug Brown

Initial support for Johnson — Greer ultimately prevails 

City Council’s five member screening committee interviewed candidates behind closed doors last week and met privately again on Monday to issue its recommendation to City Council as a whole. The committee was split and Greer’s ascension to Fusco’s vacant seat came among a divide among council.

Council member Donnie Kammer, with Johnny Hannah seconding the nomination, first announced his support for Johnson. 

Jan Davis, the Ward 4 representative, then stood up and said, “This afternoon has been the longest of my life.” After reflecting on Johnson’s nomination, she said she decided to propose a different candidate for consideration because “the city is at an inflection point.”

Mark Greer shakes hands with Council Member Brad McKitrick shortly after Greer was sworn in as the new at-large City Council member. Greer replaces Jeff Fusco, who retired from the seat at the end of March. (Doug Brown / Signal Akron) Credit: Doug Brown / Signal Akron

“You need healing and you need someone able to lead that charge,” Davis said. “Change is necessary, and the person that I believe can help bring that change is Mark Greer.” 

Council member Fran Wilson immediately backed Davis’ support for Greer, setting up a back-and-forth battle among council members as they cast their votes. 

The term Greer was appointed to ends at the end of 2027 — Akron voters will weigh in next year on who they want to fill the seat for a full term.

Akron City Council Member Jan Davis speaks following the nomination of George Johnson, an applicant for the open at-large council seat, during Monday's meeting. Members participated in four rounds of voting before Mark Greer was selected 8-4.
Akron City Council Member Jan Davis speaks following the nomination of George Johnson, an applicant for the open at-large council seat, during Monday’s meeting. “This afternoon has been the longest of my life,” Davis said. After reflecting on the nomination, she decided to reject it and proposed a different candidate, Mark Greer, for consideration because “the city is at an inflection point,” she said. (Screenshot via Akron City Council’s YouTube page)

Government Reporter (he/him)
Doug Brown covers all things connected to the government in the city. He strives to hold elected officials and other powerful figures accountable to the community through easily digestible stories about complex issues. Prior to joining Signal Akron, Doug was a communications staffer at the ACLU of Oregon, news reporter for the Portland Mercury, staff writer for Cleveland Scene, and writer for Deadspin.com, among other roles. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hiram College and a master’s degree in journalism from Kent State University.