Agenda - 10-05-2021; 8-a - Minutes

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5 1 • Rani Dasi 2 • Penny Rich 3 • Anna Richards 4 5 The applications from each applicant are attached. An August 19, 2021 letter from the Orange 6 County Democratic Party is also attached. 7 The person chosen by the Board of Commissioners will take the Oath of Office shortly after the 8 September 2, 2021 Business meeting and begin service on the Board of Commissioners in 9 advance of the Board's work session on September 9, 2021. The selected individual will serve 10 until December 5, 2022. A primary and general election will occur in 2022 to elect an individual 11 to serve the remaining two years of the unexpired term through 2024. 12 13 Chair Price reviewed the background information for this item, and invited applicants to 14 give their two-minute remarks. 15 Marilyn Carter greeted the Commissioners, and said she is honored to be considered for 16 the open District 1 position on the Board. She said Orange County is one of the best run 17 counties in North Carolina, but there is still work to do. She said she is running for 18 Commissioner because there is work to do to create a more equitable Orange County now, in 19 the face of a pandemic, and over the long term. She said citizens and community leaders in 20 District 1, and across the County, have attested to her professional skills, life experiences, and 21 track record of getting things done. She said she is honored to receive the highest level of 22 support from Orange County Democratic party. She said since vacancy was announced, she 23 has met with community leaders, elected officials, and citizens to gather ideas for building a 24 better Orange County. She attended advisory board councils and task force meetings to 25 immerse herself in operations of the county government. She said she has reviewed the county 26 budget, ethics guidelines and Commissioner duties, as well as a 2-day, phase 1, racial equity 27 institute training. She said she has worked to prepare for this position and is ready to work for 28 the citizens as next commissioner. 29 Rani Dasi said while advocating for education as the foundation for heathy communities, 30 she has come to more fully appreciate how important county government is to meeting basic 31 needs, like access to healthcare, housing, employment, and other factors that contribute to 32 community wellness and education. She said the pandemic has exposed resource disparities. 33 She said as the community looks towards recovery, there is an opportunity to build on federal 34 and state funding to cover core needs for residents. She said she wants to work with 35 Commissioners to deepen collaboration across local municipalities, businesses and other 36 stakeholders creating specific plans and prioritizing action in areas such as economic 37 development, broadband, climate action, health resources, education, etc. She said she is a 38 Carrboro resident and parent of 4, and understands what it means to residents and families 39 when they lack resources. She said leadership requires considering different experiences that 40 represent the diversity of Orange County residents, as well as the ability to understand finances 41 and balance realities of funding constraints with short and long term County needs. She said 42 she has 20+ years of financial leadership experience, and looks forwards to working hard at 43 learning and being a part of the process forward. She said her 10 year old indicated his 44 support, and will help her be a better Commissioner. 45 Penny Rich said the Board should appoint the most experienced and qualified person to 46 fill the seat vacated by Mark Dorosin, and she is that person. She said the voters of Orange 47 County agree, as she is the only applicant that ran as a candidate for that seat, receiving 12,496 48 votes. She asked the Commissioners not to silence the voters and tell them that their vote does 49 not count. She encouraged the BOCC to believe in the democratic process and be leaders who 50 believe that voting is the most important action that residents in Orange County can take. She