# @chapelboronews on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DR5VjKpDxZc
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/37660953-chapelboronews-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/0ba15659dc.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-12-05T20:53:24.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Chapelboro.com (@chapelboronews) — https://gondola.cc/chapelboronews

## Caption

The Chapel Hill and Carrboro town councils held their final meetings of the calendar year and used the time to both welcome new members elected in November and celebrate those departing elected office.

The Carrboro Town Council’s swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday was incomplete, as returning council member Cristóbal Palmer was out sick. But Mayor Barbara Foushee and Council Member Danny Nowell each took their oaths to begin their second respective terms in the roles — and newcomer Fred Joiner took his to formally join the town council after running unopposed this fall. The former town poet laureate was sworn in by Rep. Allen Buansi and referenced the poem read to start the meeting, which was about gratitude, in his first remarks on council.

“I think that the poem that that [Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis] read is the right sentiment for me at this at this moment: [I feel] gratitude for all of you who entrusted me to be a part of this prestigious body and to do the work of listening and serving,” said Joiner. “I look forward to it, and if you see me around town, come and talk to me.”

Joiner fills an open seat on the council left by Randee Haven-O’Donnell, who decided this summer not to seek another term after 20 years in the office. The sitting council passed a resolution honoring her extensive accomplishments and leadership while serving the town. During her farewell comments on Tuesday, Haven-O’Donnell reiterated how the attacks on democracy at the federal level spurred her to begin working in advocacy outside of the bounds of local government and pledged to continue fighting for human rights, climate resiliency and environmental issues as a resident.

Full story on Chapelboro.com.
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#carrboro #chapelhill #towncouncil

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## Tags

towncouncil, carrboro, chapelhill

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