2019 was a busy year for the Town of Chapel Hill. In addition to elections, new partnerships and development, it also celebrated its bicentennial anniversary.
After wrapping up the celebration of Chapel Hill’s 200th anniversary of being a town, Mayor Pam Hemminger says 2019 was a very busy but positive year spent highlighting pivotal historical moments that have shaped what the town has become today. She spoke with WCHL’s Aaron Keck and reflected on the past year.
“It was just a wonderful journey learning about some of those things,” she said, “culminating in some recorded history videos and information that will be available forever now out there. It really was heartwarming.”
Hemminger saidone of her favorite memories from the celebration was honoring Howard Lee, who served as Mayor of Chapel Hill from 1969 to 1975. Lee was the first African American to be elected mayor of any majority-white city in the south.
“To be able to honor a person who was a true leader in our community,” said Hemminger, “and talking about the Civil Rights movement in our community and the conversations and struggles we went through and have grown through [was an important aspect of the bicentennial.]”
According to Hemminger, some of the biggest pressures she faces as Mayor of Chapel Hill in 2020 are the pressures that come with being a fast-growing city, a difficulty she believes she shares with many cities across the state.
“It affects everything about our community,” she said, “and it’s going to continue in our entire region. After meeting with the Metropolitan Mayors and talking about the same kinds of things, these pressures of growth and making sure everyone has an opportunity to succeed [are a top issue.]”
Related Stories
‹
Conversations with the Mayors: Social Districts, National Night Out and The University GamesChapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger speaks on the University Games, Social Districts, the return of students to UNC, and more.
Chapel Hill Mayor Launches Mask Campaign, Town to Distribute Free CoveringsChapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger launched a new campaign on Wednesday to promote wearing masks and protecting others’ health. The Safer for Everyone in Chapel Hill campaign is a non-legislative extension to the Orange County orders regarding masks in Phase 2. While the county and towns are requiring business owners to wear face coverings when […]
Chapel Hill to Stop Weekly Yard Waste and Bulky Item Collection This MonthThe Town of Chapel Hill will be temporarily ceasing its weekly yard waste and bulky items collection in mid-April. The town government shared the news in a release on Thursday, citing the protection of its employees’ and residents’ health and well-being as a driving factor behind the decision. Beginning Saturday, April 18, Solid Waste Services […]
Chapel Hill Town Council to Finalize Appointment Plans for Replacing Schaevitz at RetreatWith Chapel Hill Town Council member Rachel Schaevitz announcing she will be stepping down from her position to move to New Zealand, a council position will soon have an unexpected vacancy. With elections having passed in November, the town will use another method to fill the seat. Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger expressed mixed feelings after […]
Proposed West End Parking Deck Gets Approval From Chapel Hill Town CouncilAs the Town of Chapel Hill works to provide more parking while reducing its surface lots downtown, plans for a parking deck on the West End of Franklin Street are being developed. Town staff presented an updated proposal for a five-level parking deck to the Chapel Hill Town Council on November 20. The deck, located […]
Berry, Miller-Foushee Reelected to Chapel Hill Town Council; Newcomers Rivers, McMahon Earn Most VotesWith the early vote totals and nearly all of Chapel Hill's precincts reported on Tuesday night, the Chapel Hill Town Council election appears unofficially decided.
2025 Candidate Introductions: Chapel Hill Municipal RacesFive candidates for Chapel Hill Town Council are vying for four seats — two of which are open — while the mayor's election is unopposed.
News Around Town: Halloween on Franklin Street in 2025Read a conversation between Chapel Hill mayor Jess Anderson and 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey about Halloween on Franklin Street.
Chapel Hill’s Weavers Grove Welcomes First Residents, Offering a Vision of Inclusive HomeownershipWeavers Grove, the long-anticipated mixed-income community spearheaded by Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, is officially coming to life in Chapel Hill.
'Elated Every Time They Come In': A Look at the New Chapel Hill Police StationChapel Hill Police will begin formally working out of 7300 Millhouse Road on Monday. Before that, they opened their doors to local media.
›
