Monday marked a transition in leadership for Chapel Hill, as Jess Anderson took her oath as the town’s latest mayor and three new town council members officially joined the elected body.
Anderson, who was elected to the role in November, took her oath of office administered by District Court Judge Joal Broun and formally replaced Pam Hemminger — who had served four terms in the position. The ceremony capped off a dramatic, and often tense, local election cycle and sets up the Chapel Hill government to forge ahead with a new makeup in 2024.
Hemminger began the meeting by taking the dais for a final time on Monday night and signed off on her eight-year tenure as mayor. Her farewell comments potentially marked the last time she will hold public office, after a stretch of serving on the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education and the Board of Orange County Commissioners before leading Chapel Hill’s government.
Hemminger said she is proud of her work and the town’s accomplishments across her time in office, pointing to helping shift Chapel Hill from largely being “a bedroom community” when she began to boasting a diverse business portfolio and tax base. Her tenure is also marked with several pivotal moments in recent local history — including leading Chapel Hill through the unrest around Silent Sam and the Confederate statue’s removal at UNC, a tumultuous time in national and state politics, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Hemminger mentioned the challenges of coordinating the local response to the pandemic over more than two years with her fellow mayors.
“The daily meetings, briefings, the alarming concerns about health, safety, and economic welfare were pretty overwhelming,” she said. “People died. It was very hard. Yet, we did persist.”
Pam Hemminger delivers her final comments as Chapel Hill Mayor, reflecting on the town’s achievements. (Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.)
Hemminger said she believes the town is being left in good hands with Anderson taking over the role and offered a final public piece of advice to the community.
“It takes working with the council to set a vision that is inclusive,” said the outgoing mayor before receiving a standing ovation. “It takes creating a real plan of action for how you’ll make that vision happen. And mostly, it takes hard work, determination, and constant persistence to stick to your plans and achieve that real progress.”
While reflective and poignant, the town council meeting was also more celebratory and jovial than normal gatherings. Hemminger presented Anderson with the special mayoral hardhat and ribbon-cutting scissors used at ceremonies, as well as the gavel for council meetings. Departing council members Michael Parker and Tai Huynh also offered their thanks and appreciation to voters after receiving resolutions in their honor.
“My wish for the new mayor and new council members is I hope each and every one of you enjoy being on council,” said Parker, “and have as much fun as I’ve had. Once again, thank you Chapel Hill – I’ve had a blast.”
Those new council members — Elizabeth Sharp, Melissa McCullough and Theodore Nollert — were each sworn into their first four-year terms on the board, while Amy Ryan was sworn in for her second. Ryan was later unanimously chosen by her peers to be mayor pro tem.
Melissa McCullough takes the oath of office from North Carolina Sen. Graig Meyer to become a Chapel Hill Town Council member on December 18, 2023. (Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.)
Council Member Amy Ryan shakes hands with Judge Joal Broun after taking the oath of office for a second term. (Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.)
Following the ceremony, the newly formed council took their seats and Mayor Anderson shared thoughts on the “pivotal moment” she believes Chapel Hill faces. She pointed to the challenges presented to local governments across the country as they balance tackling climate change, increased housing demand, and strained affordability. With Chapel Hill not being immune from those, Anderson said it means the community must “collectively embrace change.”
“Luckily,” she said, “we have an exciting new opportunity ahead of us: implementing our Complete Community vision. If we do this right, I’m confident we’ll not only address these challenges, but build on what we all love about Chapel Hill, becoming a model for municipalities in the south and beyond. And, more importantly, we’ll grow in ways that make our town even better… now and for future generations.”
Elizabeth Sharp takes her oath of office for the Chapel Hill Town Council as administered by retired judge Trevor Sharp. (Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.)
Chapel Hill Town Council Member Theodore Nollert finishes his oath of office for his first term from NC Sen. Graig Meyer. (Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.)
Anderson forecasted some of that change, saying Chapel Hill will re-examine how the town presents information and engages its constituents. She said she remains committed to her campaign promises of helping the public stay better informed on the town’s processes and decision-making, adding that she will explore methods to better incorporate public feedback. One way was approved on Monday night, as the council voted to move all start times for business meetings up an hour to 6 p.m.
“Today is an exciting new day,” Anderson concluded. “With your support and participation, I’m confident we can overcome our challenges, embrace opportunities, and write a new, inspiring chapter in the story of Chapel Hill.”
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson takes the dais on December 18, 2023. (Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.)
The meeting marked the town council’s final one of 2023, with the elected official next slated to meet on Wednesday, January 10. To watch the full meeting from December 18, click here.
Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.
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