Monday night, Orange County’s Board of Commissioners acknowledged oaths of office for new and re-elected board members while saying goodbye to those who just finished their four-year terms.
New board members take office at the first meeting in December following the November election. During this meeting, commissioners take the Oath of Office and elect a chair and vice-chair for the coming year.
On Monday, the Orange County board welcomed two new commissioners after incumbents Penny Rich and Mark Marcoplos were unseated in the March 3 primary.
Amy Fowler, a pediatrician and the vice-chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education, will be replacing Marcoplos as the county’s at-large commissioner.
“I too look forward to collaborating with my fellow commissioners to advocate for and make decisions that are in the best interest of the residents of Orange County,” Fowler said. “I believe in being straightforward and fair and considering all sides of an issue. I will not always agree with the other county commissioners, but I will always respect them.”
Jean Hamilton, a social worker and former CHCCS Board of Education member, will be joining incumbent Mark Dorosin as a District 1 commissioner after unseating Rich, who chaired the BOCC for the last two years.
“I want to thank all the folks who supported my campaign and thank everyone who voted for me,” Hamilton said. “I very much look forward to working with my fellow county commissioners and county staff to serve the residents of Orange County and I will do so to the best of my abilities.”
During the meeting, the Board also voted to elect third-time County Commissioner Renee Price as chair for the upcoming year.
Commissioner @reneeprice20121 elected as chair for 2021. She served as Vice Chair in 2020. She was re-elected to her third term to the @OCNCGOV Board of Commissioners in November.
— Orange County NC Gov (@OCNCGOV) December 8, 2020
Price served as vice-chair in 2020. Commissioner Earl McKee nominated Jamezetta Bedford to serve as the new vice-chair for 2021. Both votes were unanimous.
Additionally, to recognize the work done prior to this transfer of power, the Board voted to approve a Resolution of Commendation for both Commissioner Mark Marcoplos and Commissioner Penny Rich.
Mark Dorosin read the resolution commending Marcoplos and, after, had a few words to say about Rich’s work ethic throughout the pandemic and a farewell to both commissioners.
“The work that Penny did as the Chair, leading the county through the crisis was super-human,” Dorosin said. “I think the county is in much better shape than it otherwise would have been. She really worked tirelessly. I also want to add that both Penny and Mark were outstanding commissioners, deeply passionate, deeply committed, idealistic, enthusiastic and really fearless. They’ll be missed, certainly by me and lots of others.”
Board adopts resolutions honoring outgoing commissioners @mmarcoplos and 2020 Chair @PennyRich. Marcoplos served one term on the @OCNCGOV BOCC and Rich served two terms. Members Mark Dorosin and Sally Greene thank Rich for leading the county's COVID-response efforts this year.
— Orange County NC Gov (@OCNCGOV) December 8, 2020
Back in March, Jean Hamilton beat out incumbents Mark Dorosin and Penny Rich to successfully claim her seat on the BOCC. Both Rich and Dorosin finished out Election Day on March 3 with 31 percent of the vote and nine votes separating the two. Eventually, Dorosin won the remaining seat after the provisional, absentee ballot count.
To see the Board of County Commissioners’ full agenda, or watch its meeting video, click here.
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