by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Unlike the crowded Dist. 5 field, the race for Dist. 6 is between only two candidates — incumbent Mary Ann Southwell and political novice Sharon Copeland.
Sharon Copeland
A native of the Mandarin area, Copeland is a Wolfson High School and Jacksonville University graduate who still lives and works in Mandarin.
For nine years, she was a co-owner of Copeland Construction before returning to JU to study psychology and sociology. Throughout much of her adult life, Copeland says she has been a strong advocate of children and children’s rights. She spent 15 years as a member of the Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital and another five as an officer and board member of Emergency Pregnancy Services. In 2000, Copeland was asked to serve as executive director of EPS, the largest crisis pregnancy center in Jacksonville.
Today, Copeland and her husband, Dan, own Paragon Title Corporation of Northeast Florida, Inc. where she’s a licensed title agent.
Copeland’s civic involvement and volunteerism are indications she’s highly interested in the overall well-being of her community.
“I grew up in Mandarin and have lived here all my life,” said Copeland, a Republican. “I feel we need a City Council representative that’s accessible and communicates the needs of the community to City Council, represents the community and looks for solutions.”
Copeland said her work on the Mandarin Water Advisory Committee spurred her interest in running for political office.
“One thing that really intrigued me was working on the water issues in Mandarin, I found there was no one to turn to,” she said. “I had to work with JEA myself.”
While Copeland concedes it’s rare an incumbent gets beaten, she believes she’ll win in April.
“I’m a rare person,” said Copeland. “I really do think I can win. I have the support of the community. If I hadn’t done so much in the community, I would agree that it would be hard to win. But I have good name recognition and I think I can win.”
Copeland’s other community involvement includes serving as a member of the board of the Mandarin Community Club, the Mayor’s Citizen’s Planning Advisory Committee, the City Council Sign Ordinance sub-committee and as chair of the Republican Woman’s Club of Duval Federated.
Mary Ann Southwell
Southwell was elected to Council to represent Mandarin in 1999. A University of Michigan graduate with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Southwell moved to Jacksonville 1978 after spending years as a newspaper reporter, covering government for the Melbourne Daily News and education for the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel News.
Aside from being elected to Council, one of Southwell’s biggest accomplishments was to start a drive to eliminate long distance charges on phone calls from Mandarin and Orange Park to the beaches. That was in 1986 and she still considers herself a bit of an activist.
“I think so,” said Southwell, who credits her days as a member of the media for her initial interest in running for political office. “I didn’t really verbalize it that way. Being active in the area and having the attitude of wanting to solve problems, led me into that mode.”
The former president of the Mandarin Neighborhood Association also played an active role in raising money to landscape the median after San Jose Boulevard was widened.
“I was also appointed to the 2010 Comprehensive Plan advisory committee, which was the first big planning document for the city,” said Southwell, a Democrat, who is currently a member of three Council standing committees: Public Health, Safety & Education, Recreation & Community Development and Transportation, Environment & Energy.
History shows incumbents fare well in their pursuit to get reelected. Southwell said this campaign is just as challenging as her run in 1999.
“It’s not easier,” she said. “There are some personal issues, I think, that are involved here. Someone planned to aim for my seat.”
Southwell said she’s seeking reelection because there’s still a lot she can do for her district.
“And, I enjoy it,” she said. “It’s frustrating at times, but I enjoy it. There are parks that need to be completed and others that needs serious improvements. Working on getting a boat ramp is in the works.”