Agenda - 09-02-2021; 4-a - Discussion and Appointment for the Vacant Position on the Orange County Board of Commissioners

Browse Search

17 when our formal group met. This shared governance began March 2020 and continued through December 2020. During this time I delivered regular updates to all members of the BOCC, our school board chairs, our state legislators and Congressman Price. 1 brought suggestions and questions back to our working group from the BOCC, our legislators and our congressmen. Congressman Price invited me and Health Director Quintana Stewart to a town hall to discuss OC Covid response and recovery plan where over 300 residents were present and I delivered a presentation to the Kenan Scholar Program where students and faculty engaged in conversation about the pandemic and recovery. Decisions made during Covid happened at a fast pace and I depended on and collaborated with my colleagues, the three mayors, and with legal counsel, to make the best possible decisions based on the information we were receiving at the time and the science. Because Orange County was in a state of emergency, 1 was able to work jointly with the mayors to move orders forward exponentially. In general my decision-making process is: 1. Gather as much information as possible pertaining to the issue 2. Utilize staff resources and expertise 3. Connect with as many residents as possible, especially those that will be directly affected by the decision 4. Talk with my colleagues on all boards to widen my knowledge about their interests and expectations 5. Consider the financial impact 6. Consider the social justice impact 7. Consider how this vote can change or worsen our climate mitigation goals 3. How would your appointment enhance diversity of the BOCC? Diversity is about what makes each of us unique and it includes our backgrounds,personality, life experiences and beliefs-all of the things that make us who we are. It is a combination of our differences that shape our view of the world, our perspective and our approach. If we take a look at the BOCC there are 4 members from Chapel Hill and 2 from unincorporated Orange County. We are missing a Carrboro voice. I am that voice. 1 am an American Jewish Woman and business owner. My background and personal experiences have allowed me to recognize prejudice, injustice,sexism, racism, bigotry and antisemitism;calling it out and demanding that as a county, we do better. Sponsored resolutions and petitions: • A RESOLUTION IN RESPONSE TO RECENT ACTS OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC INTIMIDATION ON THE UNC • PETITION TO CHCCS TO ELIMINATE SATURDAY AS A MAKE UP DAY(JEWISH SABBATH) • RESOLUTION SUPPORTING NORTH CAROLINA'S WORKING PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES • RESOLUTION DECLARING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY(co-sponsor) • RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA • RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE REPEAL OF THE HYDE AMENDMENT AND SUPPORTING THE RIGHT OF ALL WOMEN TO SAFE AND COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE In addition, I live with my mom who will be 92 this year. I am often challenged to view the world through her eyes and the change she has seen and the progress still yet to be made. She helps me understand and advocate for her and other seniors in Orange County. We are very fortunate to have a dedicated department on aging in OC. 4. What do you see as the most urgent unmet needs facing Orange County. Please limit to 5 or less and prioritize these needs, particularly if listing more than 3. Although our elected leaders have been working hard on urgent unmet needs, the list has not changed much over the years due to roadblocks including funding, limits and regulations handed down from