Neighbors: Wanting to see changes in neighborhood drew new alderman Speed into politics David Blanchette, Journal-Courier FacebookTwitterEmail 1of3 Jacksonville Ward 1 Alderman Darcella Speed entered politics with the intention of seeing changes take place in her neighborhood. David Blanchette | Journal-CourierShow MoreShow Less 2of3 3of3 Jacksonville’s new Ward 1 alderman wants things in her neighborhood to be different. “I’m really involved with the community and I was just noticing that in my area nothing seems to change, it’s always the same,” Darcella Speed said. “We really do need a change around here.” Speed, 46, a longtime Jacksonville resident, was elected April 6 and was sworn in and attended her first City Council meeting as an elected official May 10.