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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white">
<a name="_Hlk62717647"></a><a name="x__Hlk532890118"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><b><span style="font-size:48.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><img width="148" height="148" style="width:1.5416in;height:1.5416in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image001.png@01D7EAA1.496B6C10" alt="A close up of a sign
Description automatically generated"></span></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:x__Hlk532890118"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><b><span style="font-size:48.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:x__Hlk532890118"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><b><span style="font-size:48.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">NEWS RELEASE</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:x__Hlk532890118"></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">For Immediate Release Date: 12/06/21</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Contact: Public Information Office Phone: (919) 560-0000/Fax: (919)
560-0020</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:2.5in;text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">E-mail: </span></b></span><a href="mailto:publicinformationoffice@dconc.gov" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">publicinformationoffice@dconc.gov</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">County Commissioners Re-elect Howerton as Chair, Jacobs Vice Chair</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><b><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Durham, N.C. – </span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">During
the Monday, December 6, 2021 Work Session, the Durham Board of County Commissioners have elected its new Chair and Vice Chair for the upcoming year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Acting County Attorney Willie Darby presided over the re-election of Brenda
Howerton as Chair of the Board. Howerton was elected by a 5-0 vote. Chair Howerton then presided over the re-election of Wendy Jacobs as Vice Chair by a 5-0 vote.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">“First and foremost, I’d like to thank my fellow Board members,” Howerton
said. “I appreciate your vote of confidence of me to continue to serve as the Chair. My commitment will always be to strive to work together to best serve all residents in our community.
</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:black">This past year has really shown us our strength and resilience as a community.</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Chair Howerton went on to share the following areas of focus she referred
to as “critical priorities” for the coming year: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif">The continued safety and well-being of our community during the ongoing pandemic;</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif">Addressing rising safety concerns and violence and working together to find practical and sustainable solutions;<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif">Ensuring food security for those most vulnerable and in need;<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif">Uplifting Black maternal health disparities from a systems-level, where Black women are having the worst birth outcomes in our
County;<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif">Focusing on our babies and youngest children so they have a good start and are able to thrive;<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif">Identifying ways to increase more access to mental health services;<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif">Staying informed on matters about substance use disorders and how this affects the community;<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif">Building our infrastructure so every resident is able to access and enjoy Durham;<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif">Connect residents to good-paying jobs that have come to our County;<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#201F1E;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:black">And of course, continued analysis and decision-making regarding ARPA funding.</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">The Board will have its final scheduled Regular Session of 2021 on Monday,
December 13, 2021.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E">For more information about the Board of Commissioners, visit
</span></span><a href="https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-a-e/board-of-commissioners/commissioner-meetings-and-announcements/bocc-agendas-video-library"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif">here</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E">.
Contact information for the Commissioners can be found on the </span></span><a href="https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-a-e/board-of-commissioners/commissioners"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif">Board’s
webpage</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E">Citizens may call the Clerk to the Board at (919) 560-0025 or email to
</span></span><a href="mailto:clerk@dconc.gov"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif">clerk@dconc.gov</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E">
with any questions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:150%;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">###</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk62717647"></span><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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