The Greensboro (N.C.) City Council has named fellow councilmember Marikay (Sanders) Abuzuaiter as Mayor Pro Tempore. Marikay’s family has deep roots locally in Kentucky. Her mother and father, Mary Lu and Don as well as brother David were household names in the Middlesboro area as was her mother’s side of the family, Dr. Charles Cawood.

Greensboro City Clerk Angela Lord administered the Oath of Office immediately following the nomination and appointment during last month’s City Council meeting.

Abuzuaiter replaces the late Mayor Pro Tempore Yvonne Johnson, who served in this capacity for 19 years, until she passed away on December 4, 2024.

Ms. Abuzuaiter is an At-Large member who was elected to City Council in 2011 and was re-elected in 2013, 2015, 2019, and 2022.

She ran for office to be an advocate for small businesses, being a former small business owner of Mahi’s Restaurant for 22 years, to support our public safety, and to give a voice to all Greensboro residents. She credits City staff for helping her assist residents with concerns.

Her goals for City Council include increasing the availability of affordable housing, continuing to pursue economic development opportunities in order to bring good paying jobs to Greensboro, and supporting public safety and infrastructure, which includes transportation.

Abuzuaiter serves as council liaison to numerous City and regional boards and commissions. She is a proud graduate of Greensboro College and attended Maryville College in Tennessee.

In addition to her duties as an At-Large Councilmember, The Mayor Pro Tempore attends community meetings and events, signs City contracts, as well as presides over and signs the minutes for City Council meetings in the Mayor’s absence. Congratulations to Marikay and the Sanders family!