
Durham Commissioner Becky Heron, 83, will resign Aug. 1 to spend more time with family.
After praising her years of community work, the board made plans to ask for a recommendation to fill Heron's seat for the remaining year and a half left in her term. In accordance with state law, the Durham County Democratic Party would recommend an appointee—a recommendation the four remaining commissioners could accept or reject when they vote for a replacement, Siler explained. The commissioners planned to discuss the process in more detail at a future meeting.
Heron won't be far away, she said—likely she'll take a seat in the front row at some meetings, watching the board and commenting alongside regulars such as Lavonia Allison, president of the Durham Committee Affairs of Black People, and a fellow community activist, Victoria Peterson.
The commissioners have one more scheduled meeting before Heron's departure date on Monday July 25. The board has 60 days from the effective date of Heron's resignation to fill her seat.
"Whoever's sitting in this chair here," Heron said, "I hope you do your best to keep it straight."