By: Marissa Hayes (Whetstone writing staff)

Jody Sweeney

Jody Sweeney

IT director Jody Sweeney was re-elected in the fifth District for the Levy Court Commission.

“I ran in 2008 and when I was elected, I really enjoyed having the position,” Sweeney said.

A Levy Court Commissioner’s responsibilities include writing legislation affecting land use, building construction, and monitoring other public property changes in specific counties.

Sweeney decided to run the first time because of a potential housing development near his home.

“A group wanted to put a development right behind my house,” he said. “However, the density of the project would have affected 1,700 homes within 300 acres and jeopardized school safety. So, I decided to become involved and attempt to stop them.”

Kent County, Del., is the only county council left in the United State that calls itself a Levy Court. The name goes back to the 17th century.

Sweeney said the Levy Court Commissioners also are responsible for paramedic services, recorded deeds, and other public utilities.

Sweeney is the chief technology officer at Wesley.

“I am responsible for all the electronic technology on-campus,” he said.

Those electronic technologies include phones, computers, data, and other electronics.

Wesley has been flexible with Sweeney’s hours so he can fulfill both positions.

“I have worked at Wesley for two years now and I love it,” Sweeney said. “Wesley gave me the opportunity to get involved in a new challenge. I had always worked for private job sectors, but working for Wesley allowed me to branch out.”

Help desk specialist Esther Nesbella works with Sweeney in the Information Technology office.

“He has done an amazing job here at Wesley,” she said. “It’s nice to see someone from the office campaign for what they believe in.”

Database administrator Jason Cox agrees.

“He seems pretty adamant about being commissioner and I wish nothing but the best for him,” he said.