Promises made and promises kept. That is the campaign slogan for Sycamore Mayor John Swedberg.

Swedberg, who is running for re-election April 5, is a fifth-generation Sycamore resident who served as 3rd Ward Alderman prior to running for mayor in 2001 just as his grandfather did in the 1930s.

Swedberg is finishing his first four-year tour of duty as Sycamore mayor and would like to serve for another four years.

“It is an honor to represent Sycamore as its mayor,” Swedberg said. “The way everyone bands together in this community is wonderful.”

Swedberg’s goals for his second term include providing his citizens with mass transit via an extension of the Green Line Bus Service that is run by DeKalb ,as well as creating a senior center for the elderly, he said.

Swedberg set out a number of goals when he took office and now lists them as accomplishments.

“I wanted to create 50 jobs for the city, and as of right now, we have created over 250,” he said.

The city property tax rate has been reduced by more than 15 cents per $100 of assessed value during his time in office, he said.

Swedberg said economic development has been his long-term objective for the administration.

“Commercial and industrial developments relieve the burden of property tax on residents,” he said.

There have been many programs that have had a positive effect on the community during the last four years, he said.

The development with Friends of St. John’s Park is especially gratifying, Swedberg said.

After a fire destroyed St. John’s Lutheran Church in early 2004, the city worked with the neighborhood and community developers to help raise money for area residents to have a place to relax and play, he said.

“It seems that every year there is a neighborhood or a group that finds a cause and gets it done to help improve the quality of life within our community,” he said.

Sycamore firefighter Bill Reynolds, who was injured during the fire, is supporting the mayor in his bid for re-election.

“He brought that small-town feel to my family during our time of need – when I really needed it,” Reynolds said. “I am thrilled that a tragedy like the church fire could create such a positive outcome for the neighborhood,” he said.

Former Sycamore Mayor Bernard McMillian is also in favor of Swedberg’s gaining re-election.

“[Swedberg] is the best-qualified candidate, and his re-election would be the right choice for Sycamore’s future,” he said.