Board of Aldermen - Regular Meeting

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the 12/02/2025 meeting of the Carbara Town Council. This is an organizational meeting where we will swear in a new council member, some that got reelected, and say goodbye to council member Haven O'Donnell and take care of a little bit more council business. But first, I would like to get a motion to excuse Councilmember Palmer, who is ill and will not be sworn in tonight. And he is not here. So moved. Thank you so much. A second?

Second.

All right. It's been moved and properly seconded that we excuse Council Member Palmer. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Five to zero. We're not all here. We're not all here. And so, up, we will have a poetry reading by our Carrboro Poet Laureate. Where is Liza? Hi, Liza. I do believe this is our last poem, as there will be someone new,

correct There will

be someone new in the January. So they are coming soon to a carburr near you. So exciting. I am excited to be here today. And I want to say my poem today is going to be a little longer than usual. And so just hang in there. But we're in kind of a season, hopefully, of gratitude. And so this is called Grateful. And I want to say also that this is for the local government and all the town of Carrboro, for sure. Yeah.

So, all right, grateful. I'm going to make a gratitude list of some of the things I am grateful for. Bear with me. It's going take a minute. To start, on a day like today, I'll begin with the trees and the way the tall pines sway in the wind when a storm is coming. I am grateful for the way the trees look even taller when on a hill. I'm grateful for friends and people I love. Speaking of people I love, I'm grateful for the way my husband giggles, even if no one else is giggling. And I am grateful for when his laugh makes other people smile, even if just to be polite at first. And then I am also grateful when everyone begins to chuckle and chortle.

Yes, I am so grateful for that. I am grateful for the way he cracks a stupid joke and pulls me out of seriousness when I am mired in the droning on of the bad news of the world, the sadness and the horror. I am grateful that he is usually not as bummed out about the state of things as I am. And I'm grateful when I can be the one to hold hope for him, to remind him of the neighbor's cat who walks on the fence line to tease the dog, to remind him of the squirrels who chase each other up and down a tree trunk seemingly playing, to point out a stumbling baby running without any concern for falling, even though they clearly just learned how to move on two feet, don't even get me going on feet. I am grateful for my feet and legs and body for being able to move.

I am grateful I can go on walks with my neighbor in the forest, or past the coffee house, past the deer. I'm grateful for deer, the way they graze, and for the ones who have fuzzy antlers on their heads, and for the way they sometimes don't even move when we walk by. I'm grateful I live in a place where I do walk by deer, and they seem to know I won't intentionally kill them. I'm grateful for shoes, especially comfortable ones. I'm grateful for the sneakerheads who love their fancy sneakers, for the one kid I knew who would buy them, wear them once, and sell them at a price greater than he bought them for.

His whole business paid for his phone and for his family's electric bill. I am grateful for innovative teens, for their view of the world, the possibility before them. Let me say I'm grateful for the eyes of my teenage son, how he sees the world beyond the chaos. I am grateful for friends reaching out to me saying happy Tuesday or happy whatever holiday or saying I'm grateful for you. I'm grateful for the thank you card a student handed me last night with a note written in perfect blueprint.

I'm grateful that I believe all people are creative. And I am grateful to know so many people who use their creativity, who are poets and artists. I'm grateful for poetry and for art, for the sculptures in the yard down the way, how large they are. Grateful people know how to make beauty. We all make beautiful things. I am grateful for that. I am grateful for how the sun warms the skin, even on the coldest days, and the way the shade takes away its heat so easily, even as shade is the result of a shadow and an angle of the sun. I am grateful for the sound of dogs barking in the distance, grateful for how I could feel annoyed at their loud bays, but can choose to listen and to act like I understand as if they are saying something really important. And maybe they are. I'm grateful when I can use my voice.

And for the moments when I can yell and make noise and not have it be a scandal or rude or bad manners or strange, how wonderful to scream and not be in danger. They say that in some places there are scream clubs for people to get together and scream on bridges beside lakes on top of mountains. I'm grateful for scream clubs, even though I've never been to one. I like that they exist, that maybe I could join. And if I wanted to gather with others to scream, I could.

I'm grateful that humans can find any reason to gather together to form community, and that even screaming together is that. I'm grateful for my community and how people move through the space in which we live on bikes, walking, driving, sometimes dancing, and moving in their cars. My friend said she feels happy when she sees someone moving their body to music in their car. I feel that way, too. And I'm grateful for people who dance at stoplights while seated, and grateful when I see them, and they don't care if I watch. Maybe they even want me to. I am grateful for that. And sometimes I move my body too, turn the news off, find music, and move. And even when the stoplight changes, I am dancing in my seat. I am grateful I can move to music and that someone made that music.

I am grateful this town has live music to bring people together. I am grateful for the music of Elizabeth Cotton, how Carrboro celebrates her legacy, how we can celebrate her. I am grateful to live in a place with dedicated pillars of racial justice and climate action. So even if our larger world is shifting, we are still strong in our values. I am grateful to live in a community dedicated to democracy, to the sharing of voices, to the coming together, and bringing people in.

I am grateful we have people who want to be involved in running our town, stepping up to listen to ideas and make decisions, and come together hour after hour, month after month. I am grateful. I am grateful for local government. Should I name the mayor and the council people? I am grateful for them, each of them, all of them. And I'm grateful for each person coming together to make our town better, each person, each and every person. And by the way, I'm grateful we have a poet laureate position, that a poem is read before every town council meeting. I think that centers us and makes our town unique. I can list all the things I am grateful for. And that helps me focus on the beauty rather than the sadness.

But I know, even as I'm grateful, there is sad, scary, awful stuff happening in the world. I know there is. And here in this town, there are problems, people who can't pay their rent, hungry bellies, loneliness, all the things we are trying to change. I'm grateful I can still find things to be grateful for. If ever there is a day when I cannot find a single thing, please find me.

That will be when I most need a friend, a neighbor, community. Even if there are moments when my list is short, please help me see the things there are to be grateful for, even if small. Maybe the whistle of a train, the sound of thunder, a smile in the rain. I am grateful for the smell of rain and for the smell of rosemary and fresh bread. These are small things, I know, but at least.

If I cannot find my bearings all here, all you here with me now in my community, help me remember there is much to be found to love and to hold in gratitude. And if you cannot find your bearings, I will try to help you see there is much to be found in love and to hold in gratitude. Thank you for being here and for listening. I'm grateful for it. Thank you. Oh,

my. And she leaves us with a bang, a bang of gratitude. Yeah, gratitude is at an all time high for me today and most days. So we are at the oath of office for the mayor and council members elect. It looks like I'm first.

Where's the judge? I'm so honored that you asked me to do it. Thank you so much. All right, sir. The oath of office for mayor.

I, Barbara M. Fushi I, Barbara M. Fushi. Do solemnly affirm. Do solemnly affirm. That I will. That I will. Support the constitution. Support the constitution. And the laws of.

And the laws of. The United States. The United States. That I will That I will Be faithful and bear Be faithful and bear True allegiance True allegiance to the state of Carolina North Carolina and to the And to the constitutional powers and to the constitutional powers and authority and authority are which are may be established established for the government for the government thereof. Thereof.

That I will That I will Endeavor. Endeavor. To support To support Maintain Maintain And defend And defend the constitution The constitution And laws of And laws of North Carolina North Carolina not inconsistent not inconsistent with the constitution with the constitution of The United States The United States to the best of the best of my knowledge and ability my knowledge and ability and that I will And that I will faithfully discharge faithfully discharge the duties of duties of my office office mayor mayor the town of Carrboro. For the town of Carrboro. Congratulations.

Thank you so much. There would have to be a flub. It would only be me. Thank you. Next up, we have the oath of office for council member elect, Danny Nau.

He will be is Representative Boite May

not be here

yet. Is he not?

He I'm going look.

Okay. Representative Allen Buoyancy is supposed to do the honors, I believe. I'm not sure if he's here yet. Not here yet? You want to be sworn in now?

I have a text.

Okay. Let's hang on for a second. Thank you for your patience.

He will be here shortly.

Oh, okay. He's doing two. He's doing the next two. So he is not here yet. Is that correct?

His ETA is about fourteen minutes. Oh. Okay.

So council members, I think in light of the fact that Representative Boise will be here in about fourteen minutes, he will be swearing in council member elect now as well as Joyner. So I was wondering if you would mind if we went ahead and did the resolution to honor outgoing councilmember Randy Haven O'Donnell. Is that okay with everyone? We'll just make a switcherooony here. Councilmember Haven O'Donnell, are you going to join me at the podium?

Or you want to just come up after I finish? It's up to you.

I'll come up after

you finish. Okay. So it is absolutely my pleasure. It's also an honor to read this resolution for it's actually a commendation and appreciation to Randy Haven O'Donnell for distinguished service and outstanding dedication to the town of Carrboro. And you all get ready, because this is a resolution.

Whereas, in 1978, Randy Haven O'Donnell rocked into Carrboro, humming her beloved Libricotons freight train and sugary on the lookout for some good trouble. And whereas, throughout her life, Randy has lived in harmony with the three pillars of sustainability: social, environmental, and economic. She has applied those pillars as an educator, a certified diversity trainer, an environmental and social justice advocate, an active citizen volunteer on multiple advisory boards, and for the past twenty years as a council member. And whereas, from her first years as an elected official, Randi has consistently advocated for involving the community in council decisions. Elected Active listening and a willingness to collaborate with others are her strengths as a community leader.

Randy has been diligent in ensuring her understanding of the issues that come before the town council through interactions with town staff, community members, and professionals with expertise on the issues under consideration prior to casting a vote. That dedication has earned her the trust and respect of the community. And whereas, Randy is a double alumna and past board member officer of the Leadership Triangle, a nonprofit organization established in 1992 to educate and promote collaboration across the separate communities of the triangle, and has served as the town of Carrboro council liaison to the Central Pines Regional Council as a delegate on the executive committee, first vice chair, and chair of the Environment and Resilience Subcommittee. And whereas, as a science and environmental educator at Frank Porter Graham Elementary and at Carlberth Middle School, She served as president of the Chapel Hill Carrboro Association of Educators, received the 1990 North Carolina and Orange County Soil and Water Conservation Teacher of the Year, and authored garbology, a study in solid waste management garbology, is that a word? It is.

Curriculum to support local recycling, composting, gardening, and waste reduction within Orange County co founded the North Carolina Environmental Association of Educators. And whereas, Randy's commitment to social equity and improving the quality of life for everyone in Carrboro led her to serve on the Orange County Human Relations Commission, the town of Carrboro Planning Board, and the Town Parks and Recreation Master Plan Committee prior to launching her twenty years of service on the town council. And is there something going on behind me? Y'all help me. And whereas, Randy, as an untiring advocate for universal human rights and social justice, has consistently supported reproductive rights as human rights through her support of full access to safe, comprehensive, reproductive health care.

Her support of a woman's right to bodily autonomy, rejection of legislation aimed at denying this right, including attempts to restrict access to abortion, and advocacy of more investment in greater access to health care, affordable birth control, and comprehensive age appropriate sex education. She has done this through her advocacy for the annual UN International Human Rights Resolutions, her work with IPAS for women's health, and in support of mothers through working to establish a Carrboro chapter of Moms Demand Action Against Gun Violence and persuading the town of Carrboro to fly the symbolic orange flag in memory of victims of gun violence each June, and whereas to address the needs and dignity of workers who once gathered at La Esquita, the corner, Randy, in partnership with El Centro, visioned and developed the CASA for Employment and Leadership, the sale to ensure workers' rights, safety, the reduction of wage theft, and the networking of employers with employees. And whereas, in recognition of her contributions, on May 3035, El Centro Hispano awarded Randy the Gilbertson Clark Visionary Award. And on 05/10/2025, for the tenth anniversary, El Centro recognized Randy for her contributions to the collaboration and commitment, which have been fundamental to the growth and continued success of the program.

And whereas, Randy understands that social and environmental justice cannot be achieved without economic justice. In 2008, she collaborated with past council member Dan Coleman to create the Carrboro Local Living Economy Initiative, which established the Carrboro Business Alliance for the Local Living Economy. And whereas, she has served as the council liaison to the Carrboro Economic Sustainability Commission since 2006. I better quit looking at it, because I might cry myself. Let turn around this way.

And as the council representative to the Orange County Economic Development Commission, and has consistently championed Carrboro's small business community with a focus on women, black, indigenous, and people of color owned businesses and nontraditional entrepreneurial enterprise. And whereas, during the COVID-nineteen pandemic of twenty twenty, Randy served as a strong advocate for vaccinations and strict public health control protocol. I'm sorry. Buoyancy. I saw him out of the corner of my eye.

He's throwing me off. Randy blamed him. Initiated the request to use Carrboro Business Revolving Loan funds to support businesses through the pandemic. With the Carrboro Economic Development Director and Economic Sustainability Commission Chair, Randy co led the program of emergency grant funding to help sustain a local living economy. And reached across the Carrboro and Chapel Hill communities during the pandemic, as evidenced by working across the municipalities and county on food supply and distribution for students and families.

And whereas, Randy has helped establish and serve on multiple commissions and advisory boards during her twenty years of service, including the Community Safety Task Force, Race Equity Commission, Carbara Climate Action Task Force, Climate Action Team, Town Commons, Signs, Solar Lighting, Ed Witkin and Students, Earth Day, and Carbara Pride. Whereas, as an advocate for environmental justice and environmental protection, Randy was recruited and served on the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board from 2018 through 2024, and served on the first board of directors of the Recycling Association of North Carolina. Whereas, Randy has been committed to environmental and climate justice, beginning with Orange County's first attempt to inventory greenhouse gas emissions in 2006 and leading Carrboro through the climate crisis as a delegate to the twenty nineteen Climate Reality Conference training in Atlanta with Doctor. William Barber. Randy co founded the Orange County Climate Reality Chapter and used her teaching skills to train and mentor others.

In 2020, she collaborated with Doctor. Katie Valletta and local climate activists to create a set of climate sustainability training modules that are currently maintained by the town of Carrboro and the Central Pines Regional Council. And now, therefore be it resolved that given Randy's unwavering commitment to environmental protection, preservation, resilience, and sustainability, the Green Neighborhood Grant is renamed as the Haven O'Donnell Green Neighborhood Grant in her honor and in appreciation for her dedication and service to the town of Carrboro, the greater Carrboro community, and Orange County. This, the December 2025. I yeah.

You know, I'm pretty sure that there are some things that are not in here. Things that she has done away from the public eye. It's just some things that, you know, folks may have forgotten about. But she's steadfast in what she believes in. She's been steadfast in her service with the town. And I will miss you sitting beside me. I've done all my years on the council with you. I have watched you. I have learned from you. And I have certainly appreciated you.

So I welcome you to the podium for remarks. Into the sunset, baby. Into the sunset. Sit on the porch and drink some tea, but I know you're gonna be doing something.

Thank you. Thank you so much. I want to thank the folks in the community who wrote that. I couldn't have imagined that they unearthed as much as they did. And so I'm going to read out.

I hope this makes sense. I've been writing this for weeks and weeks and weeks, and the bottom line is after twenty years, how do you sum it up? With gratitude to the seven women who run with wolves who recruited me, Ellie Kinnaird, Shirley Marshall, Melva Okun, Diana McDuffie, Mary Wakefield, Francis Shetley, and Marty Mandel. Freight Train, the Little Engine That Could. As every Carborian knows, Elizabeth Cotton wrote Freight Train as a teenager in Carrboro over one hundred years ago, inspired by the sound of the train passing by her home.

Now, a century later, Carrboro is that freight train, raw with energy and carrying a heart full of goodness to deliver. And like the little engine that could, Carrboro is local motivation. The beacon ignited and emboldened by carborians, fueled by people focused deeds and mighty voices. Back in the day in New York, two beacons awakened me with their light and vision, Shirley Chisholm and Bella Abzug. They inspired and shaped my expectation of women, work, and social activism.

Chisholm and Abzug, bold, thought leading women, resonated deeply with me. I have never forgotten the lessons of their leadership. Bella Abzug battling Bella, who aptly stated, quote, a woman's place is in the house, the House of Representatives. And Shirley Chisholm, unbossed and unbought, who said, quote, if they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair. Yes.

And I say, set a new table. Hence, it's not what's next, it's what's now. Table talks, neighborly neighborhood and community driven kitchen conversations. Table Talks are a place to talk about our community. And yes, thank you, Frances Shetley, who inspired Table Talks thirty eight years ago.

I've been in the room and at the table to help guide our little engine that could, our hometown, through expansion of her municipal boundary and densification of her population. In my capacity as an elected official, I have engaged as a community organizer to build and fortify the community as we become the progressive stronghold we are today.

I think so, yeah.

Come on in, Jerry.

He's the introvert. I am passionate about Carrboro and my council work and remain dedicated to our collective effort to continuously build and strengthen community. I am humbled by the gift of having served with my community folks and treasure all of our work together for our beloved hometown. As the torch has passed this evening, I welcome and offer the very best wishes for the new council and representatives and to all the community voices eager to engage, collaborate, and represent Carrboro through its governance. We are living in an unprecedented and urgent moment in American and human history.

Our democracy and the rule of law we have relied on and taken for granted is being dismantled from within the walls of all three branches of our government. Town government is not designed for, nor is it equipped to respond to the dismantling of the federal government and reshaping it into an imperial presidency. How and whether democracy prevails depends on we, the people. This is a time to invest more deeply in community awareness, action, and advocacy. In November 2024, I felt called to act in a different capacity, one that furthers education, seeks to motivate and mobilize our citizenry to be resilient and face the challenges ahead.

So what's next? Three areas I will continue to work on: human rights, women's reproductive rights, tenants' rights, climate resiliency and environmental sustainability, preservation, protection, green living and infrastructure, water quality, access, quantity, and PFAS pollution. The personal is political. I am proud to be a boomer, coming of age in the Woodstock nation, proud to have marched with Coretta Scott King. This is my original Poor People's Campaign, 1968.

I took it out of the mothballs to wear it tonight. It's very special. I earned it. I didn't buy it. Proud to have marched with Coretta Scott King to continue the good work of Martin Luther King, Jr.

For civil rights and voting rights. I marched and advocated with LGBTQ plus and human rights and women's reproductive rights, and was present during all of the anti war and the Stonewall protests in New York. In British Columbia, as a farm worker, my husband and I were mentored by Manitoba native North Americans, where we learned how to advocate for day laborers and organized a strike for higher wages. From that experience decades later, I visioned El Centro's Center for Employment and Leadership in Carrboro, the first in the nation that is a municipal organization. These experiences prepared me for the work I have undertaken here in Carrboro and across North Carolina.

I have always addressed contemporary issues of my time and sought to engage all voices. Thank you, Carrboro, for entrusting me with the responsibility to make decisions with and for you during my five term, twenty year as an elected community representative of this town. Thank you for teaching me how to be responsive to diverse needs and perspectives reflected throughout the community. Thank you for the opportunity to learn the principles and apply the tools of participatory governance. What it is, looks and feels like, and how it can express itself and build trust when practiced.

In the words of Carl Sagan, quote, we can judge our progress by the courage of our questions and the depth of our answers, our willingness to embrace what is true rather than what feels good. And so, all work hard, work deep, keep chugging along like the freight train. Carrboro is our home and she's worth it. Thank you.

Broke the mold on that one. I wish you well, sister. So now we're going to head on back and swing a few more folks. Oath of Office for Council Member Elect. Danny Nile will be administered by Representative Alan Buoyancy.

Sweet.

All right. So I'm going to do this unlike someone did to me a few years ago. They gave me multiple sentences to read at once.

That's right. That's right, Representative Buoyancy. Just a little bit of

a

time. Right. I, your name. I, Danny Nowell. Do solemnly affirm. Do solemnly affirm. That I will support constitution and

That I will support the constitution and laws Of The United States The United States

That I will be faithful

That I will be faithful

And bear true allegiance

And bear true true allegiance

the state of North Carolina

the state of North Carolina

And to the constitutional powers and authorities

And to the constitutional powers and authorities

Which are or may

be established Which are or may be established For the government thereof For the government thereof.

That I will endeavor to support That I will endeavor to support Maintain and defend the constitution.

Maintain and defend the constitution.

And laws of North Carolina.

And laws of North Carolina.

Not inconsistent with the constitution of The United States.

Not inconsistent with the constitution of The United States.

To the best of my knowledge and ability.

To the best of my knowledge and ability.

And that I will faithfully

And that I will faithfully

Discharge the duties of my office

Discharge the duties of my office

As council member from

the town of Carverhill. As council member for the town of Carverhill.

I, Allen Boise, North Carolina State Representative, do hereby certify that Danny now personally appeared before me and subscribed and affirmed to me before me the oath of office as described above on this December 2025. Congratulations.

All right. So representative Buoyancy, you will I do a quick photo. Oh, photos. And then we'll move to Perfect. Right there. Joiner. Coming in blue, aren't they? Thank you. Oath of office for our newest council member, council member elect Fred L. Joyner.

He'll be extended by representative of

the city. And he has a suit on. Go, Fred.

I think it's the first time I've ever seen Fred in a suit. Fred is sharp, too.

Right. I, your name. I, Fred L. Joyner. Do solemnly affirm that I will

support Do solemnly affirm that I will support

The constitution and laws of The United States.

The constitution and laws of The United States.

That I will be faithful That I will be faithful And bear true allegiance the state of North Carolina

and bear true allegiance to the state of North Carolina

and to the constitutional powers and authorities

and to the constitutional powers and authorities

which are or may be established for the government thereof

are and may be established for the

Or may be established.

Or may be established.

For the government.

For the government thereof.

That I will endeavor to support.

That I will endeavor to support.

Maintain and defend the constitution.

Maintain and defend the constitution.

And laws of North Carolina.

And the laws of North Carolina.

Not inconsistent with the constitution of The United States.

Not inconsistent with the constitution of The United States.

To the best of my knowledge

To the best of my knowledge And ability. And ability.

And that I will faithfully discharge And I will faithfully discharge The duties of my office

The duties of my office

As council member for the town of Carrboro.

As council member for the town of Carrboro.

I, Alan Voynzi, North Carolina State House representative, do hereby certify that Fred L. Joyner personally appeared before me and subscribed in the firm's meetings before me, the oath of office as described above on the December 2025. Congratulations.

You gotta you gotta sign it.

Come over and sign it.

Yeah. Yeah. Gotta

move it around.

Gotta sign your life away.

And then

Just the next four years. Right. See, that's a signature. Oh. See, I can see what that is. That's a good signature. That's a good

You know what, Alex?

We love you.

Bring your parents up.

So that concludes the oath of office for the mayor and council members elect. Council members, are there comments that anyone would like to make? I have a few, but I can go last.

He told me I was going to have to say something. Gratitude. I think the poem that Liza read is the right sentiment for me at this moment. Gratitude for all of you who entrusted me to be a part of this prestigious body and to do the work of serving, of listening and serving. I look forward to it. And if you see me around town, come and talk to me. I'm looking forward to the work. And again, just gratitude. I didn't prepare any comments. I wasn't sure I was going to have to make any.

But gratitude most and gratitude to my family for allowing me to do this, for allowing me to do it and enabling me to do it. My mom and my dad and my brother gave me the kind of confidence and my elders and other elders and ancestors gave me the fortitude and the vision to think that I can serve in this manner. So, thank you. Thank you and gratitude all the way around. Thank you.

I do have a second term resolution of preparing remarks that I'm already behind on. So I have a winter break to catch up on that one. It's just a tremendous honor to find oneself on a list with the people at this dais. I am truly humbled to get another opportunity to work alongside these people who have taught me so much about integrity and how to help honor what our neighbors have charged us with. I was thinking about whether I would say this, but I'll go ahead and say it.

People have asked me a lot what I have learned the most in my first term, And it's a pretty bracing answer. As Randy was talking about, we don't live in a democracy. And the extent to which you learn that from this chair is remarkable. And I think one of the things about the way that we have been structured, that we have been pitted against each other on behalf of money I think the way that our society and our government have been captured by capital is to give to us as neighbors some of the work that is hardest to do together here in our hometown. In Carrboro, we agree on a great deal amongst ourselves as neighbors.

It's a tremendous source of strength. And the way that I think our government is, in many ways, the legacy of a failed Reconstruction. There are home rule states where towns can make the laws that their residents believe in. And then there are states like ours where power has been consolidated where it is very difficult for us to reach it. And there are enough people that I know in this room have gotten enough of my texts to know how tempting it is to get cynical about this and how tempting it is to get tired.

But I serve with people who have modeled how to not get tired and how to not get cynical. And over the past couple weeks, at ceremonies honoring Howard and Lillian Lee and Braxton Fouche, I am reminded of the history that really shapes the character of this community. And I'm reminded that we have never been fully enfranchised. I am reminded that this work is work that I mean, it's such an honor to be even very distant kin to people who have been doing this work for centuries before me. And I have learned so much more about what an honor it is in this role.

And so I really hope that if you're hearing this, you feel empowered to text me, blow me up in the Weaver Street line, get at me anywhere you can, because this is for you. I think is important for me is to democratize this seat and to share it as much as possible so that we can use the powers that we do have to make sure that our residents are as fully enfranchised as they can be. And that's where the work that we do with our pillars in race equity and climate sustainability, I think that's what we hear our residents really wanting. And so pursuing that forcefully and with vigor and with real measurable governance behind those priorities is what I hope we can do here at the local level to reenfranchise our residents as much as possible. I'm a big basketball guy.

I hate the Boston Celtics. Hate them. But their coach, Joe Mazula, has really gotten in my head. I don't know if you guys know much about Joe Mazula. You know, Boston sports are like the seat of most evil. But Joe Mazula is, he's really pretty great. And he has this thing where anytime a reporter says, like, one of his players has to work on something, like Jalen Brown, he has a terrible left hand, so the reporter, you know, Oh, Jalen's got to work on that left hand. Joe Mazula will say, No, no. He gets to work on his left hand. And that's been very much in my head as I've been thinking about Mr.

And Mrs. Lee and thinking about Braxton and thinking about the people who've led me here is it can be tempting to think of this work that we have to do together as work that we have to do. But this is work that I'm really lucky to get to do. I'm really grateful to you for giving it to me to do. And I'm really excited to keep going with it. So thank you very much, Carbara. I'm deeply honored.

So I do want to make a few acknowledgments as I see some former elected officials that I've had the honor of sitting with and learning from. I see Susan Romain in the back. I served with Susan for four years. And two mayors, former mayor Lydia LaVelle and former mayor Damon Siles. I still call Damon periodically.

So I did want to acknowledge them. And also, my ride or die over here in black, Councilmember Paris Miller Fouche, town of Chapel Hill. She'll be sworn in tomorrow night, I believe, at 06:00 at Chapel Hill Town Hall. And I'm scanning the room to make sure there is no one else. And I don't think there is.

So I am going to try, again, not to shed tears. It's hard for me, because I live with and am married to someone with such a rich history in this community. And outside of loving him as my husband and my partner, I have such deep admiration for him, such a deep respect for the work that he has put in for all of us. And so I do want to acknowledge who is also a former elected official, my husband Braxton, Fushi. Braxy.

And our youngest daughter, Janice Fuxi, is here. And I'm going to now move to some of my favorite women in the whole wide world. You all probably see them in all this royal blue and white and these pearls. My sororahs of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated. Could I get all of you to stand, please? And thank you so much for coming out and supporting me. And note Judge Braun in the back, who is also now a Sara. She swore me in earlier. And thank you, Sara, for coming and supporting me. I thought I saw Was Johnny here?

Smith? Oh, he had to leave. Yeah, that was one of my fraternity brothers. So he did have to leave. And I just thank all of you for being here, folks that I have worked with and listened to, folks like Betty Curry, who continues to be a very strong voice within the community. It's good to see her. I have a couple of my team members that worked on the campaign here. See Jackie there. And I think Evan had to leave. And just all of you.

I'm real grateful. So I'm happy that Liza kind of kicked things off with gratitude. I appreciate all of you being here. So, this swearing in, you know, for me, it's always a meaningful moment. It's a quiet time of reflection. It's steady. And, for me, it's also full of hope. Tonight, we've all witnessed the beginning of a new term, not just for me, but for others on the council. And this also signifies a renewed commitment to service, to community, and the shared vision we are building together. So, I would ask that we move forward with optimism, with enthusiasm, determination, and unity, because the work ahead truly belongs to all of us.

As I took the oath, I was reminded that leadership is not only about decisions made in the public eye, but also the compassion, patience, and listening that happens behind the scenes. There's a lot that happens behind the scenes. It's also about showing up every day with humility. My husband is literally the poster child for humility. I have not met a more humble person than this one sitting right here.

And so, would only aspire to be a Braxton Fouche, because he's been putting in work, faith filled for many years. And he certainly tempers my spirit on many days. But it is about showing up every day with humility, honesty, and a genuine desire to make life better for all of us who call Carrboro home. So, for me, I will continue to lead with courage. And it does take courage in these times we are living in.

I will seek solutions over divisions. And I will work towards progress that is shared by all of us. I am really humbled by the trust that the community has placed in me for my second term as your mayor. And I'm also energized by the possibilities that lie before us. Our town is strong because of the people who live here, the people who work here, they play here, people who volunteer here, people that care for their neighbors who step up when challenges arise, and all who believe in a brighter future for our town.

So I say, this next turn be guided by clarity of purpose, steadiness in challenge, and kindness in every action. And may we move forward together with respect, understanding, and hope for the days ahead and the work yet to come. So, I thank all of you for being here. And I told you I was going to be short, so I'm real short. But I appreciate you being here.

So we have two more orders of council business. Next up is the election of the mayor pro tem. It serves in the absence of me. In case for some reason I'm not able to be here, this is the charge of the mayor pro tem council members. Is there someone that we want?

I would like to nominate Eleazar Arturo Posada Orozco

Okay, okay.

As mayor pro tem of

the township. That's the

whole name. The government name. All right. So thank you. Council Member Nell, can I get a second on that name?

JULIE WOOD:

I will second that name.

JULIE All right. It's been moved and properly seconded that Council Member Posada will be our next mayor pro tem for the Carberry Town Council. Any further discussion? We got a vote. All in favor, please say aye.

Aye. Any

opposed? Motion carries. Six to zero. Welcome.

Whoo. Ambrosia Posada.

I'm gonna bug you now, by the way.

That's okay. That's okay. So last order of business council members is our town council liaison board and committee assignments. I think for the most part, these are complete if you want to take a minute just to scan them real quick for any changes. Thing that I was while you're looking, one thing that I wasn't clear about maybe I asked the town clerk for the Climate and Environmental Advisory Commission, so I know it was Posada and Haven O'Donnell. Do we need two?

Yes. In the town code, it does specify that two people.

For the SEAC? Correct. Okay. So we would need to have someone there, as well as for the Orange County Climate Council. And I understand the Climate Council meets twice a year, once in the spring and the fall, if the website information is up to date. So those are the two primary areas, unless council members have questions concerns about others. Councilmember Frey.

Madam Mayor, a question about Climate and Environmental Advisory Commission. What is their meeting date and time?

I feel like it's the fourth Thursday at 6PM. Mr. Joyner, do you have that there? I think it's the fourth Thursday.

I will find out shortly. Give me one second.

Council members, no questions about the others? Anyone for the Orange County Climate Council or Randy had that? It's twice a year from what information is saying.

Madam Mayor, I would be happy to take that one if nobody else is interested.

One second. Waiting for Mr. Joyner.

They meet the fourth Thursday of each month at 6PM, except in November.

And is that meeting virtual, or is it?

It is a virtual component to that meeting. It is also in person as well.

Oh, okay. Yes. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Jordan.

You're

welcome. Siak, currently we have council member I mean, Mayor Pro Tem Posada Orozco. Is there anyone else that would like to take that on?

Don't know. I'll jump at once.

I have a conflict, so I can't do it.

That's okay. Four Thursday at

Is that right?

Is somebody ready to

I'll do it. Yep.

Can you do four Thursday at 6PM?

Yeah.

I mean, we could always just put Palmer.

That's true.

You know what? I'd like to nominate.

Volunteer. Wow,

wow. So this is what we do. One of us is not here.

No, be great. I would be excited to do it. Happy to jump in.

Thank you so much, Councilmember Nell. So, it looks like all slots are filled. Councilmembers, any other questions about the assignments? Everybody okay with those?

We don't need to vote on these, right? We don't need to vote on these?

I don't

think so. Is there something Mr.

No, I

was just going to add what I will do is I will add this to the first meeting in January on the consent agenda for it to be voted during the consent.

That's January 6, correct?

Correct.

That is great. I don't have anything else. Council members. Looks like we're at the end of our agenda. Motion to adjourn.

Seconded. All right.

It's been moved and properly seconded that we adjourn this organizational meeting. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Six-zero, we are adjourning.