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The board, led by Greensboro's first black mayor, Yvonne Johnson, will be sworn in at a ceremony today at City Hall. Here's the scoop on your representatives:

Yvonne Johnson

Age: 65

Position: Mayor

Strengths: Skilled at resolving conflicts. Conveys a reasoned, measured tone. Gentle but not a pushover

Weaknesses: Lack of experience. The mayor's job is overwhelming, even for a seasoned politician such as Johnson. Balancing career, family and city business is a tough act.

Potential allies: Groat, Perkins, Bellamy-Small, Wells and Barber. An alliance-builder, Johnson likely will seek support from Rakestraw, Matheny and Wade.

Sandra Anderson Groat

Age: 62

Position: At-large and likely mayor pro tem (as top vote-getter in the election).

Strengths: Follows her heart when voting. Willingness to change her mind and her vote.

Weaknesses: Perceived as too soft-spoken during first term, something she promised during her campaign to correct.

Potential allies: Johnson, Bellamy-Small and Wells on social or racial issues; Rakestraw, Barber and Wade on curbing city spending.

Robbie Perkins

Age: 52

Position: At-large

Strengths: Familiarity with city government. Has close working relationship and friendship with Johnson. Smart, sav vy and passionate about making Greensboro better.

Weaknesses: Ties to development community, which make him vulnerable to questions about conflicts of interest.

Potential allies: Johnson, Bellamy-Small, Wells and Groat on social or racial issues; possibly Matheny on growth and development.

Mary Rakestraw

Age: 60

Position: At-large

Strengths: Not afraid to disagree with the powers that be. Keeps in touch with constituents' concerns.

Weaknesses: As a county commissioner, she was one of the more factional members, and that's saying a lot.

Potential allies: Wade and maybe Barber, though the two sparred as commissioners.

T. Dianne Bellamy-Small

Age: 55

Position: District 1

Strengths: Passionate about helping the poor; keeps in close contact with constituents.

Weaknesses: Doesn't work well with others; interprets disagreement as criticism.

Potential allies: Johnson and Wells, and possibly Groat and Perkins on social issues and racial matters.

Goldie Wells

Age: 65

Position: District 2

Strengths: Strong supporter of community activism. Visible presence in community. Not shy about questioning the positions of other council members.

Weaknesses: Avoids publicly discussing controversial issues for fear of appearing negative (her bold resolution supporting the Truth and Reconciliation Project notwithstanding).

Potential allies: Johnson and Bellamy-Small, and Perkins and Groat on some issues.

Zack Matheny

Age: 34

Position: District 3

Strengths: Youth, an underrepresented demographic on the City Council.

Weaknesses: Drew attention during the campaign for his roll of contributors, which included powerful developers and attorneys.

Potential allies: Too soon to tell.

Mike Barber

Age: 45

Position: District 4

Strengths: Willing to consider unconventional ways to save taxpayers money.

Weaknesses: Often finds himself on the wrong end of an 8-1 vote, which can alien ate him from other members; bluntness about wasteful spending can make city employees bristle.

Potential allies: Wade and possibly Rakestraw; Groat on lowering spending and other financial issues; Perkins on boosting Greensboro's image.

Trudy Wade

Age: 56

Position: District 5

Strengths: Decisive, hard-working, inquisitive. She'll make city staffers earn their keep.

Weaknesses: Was known to criticize county employees at commissioner meetings; sometimes reluctant to compromise.

Potential allies: Barber, Rakestraw, Groat (on money matters