Honoring a Durham Judge and Library’s Future

The Durham County Board of Commissioners remembers Judge Willis P. Whichard’s lifelong service and deep ties to the Durham County Library, then welcomes a new library director to lead the system’s next chapter. The board also points residents to key chances to engage on the new Unified Development Ordinance, celebrates major investments in farmland, open space, and public safety, updates RV parking rules, and appoints new members to several advisory boards. 20mins

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Original Meeting

Monday, February 9th, 2026
5986.322
Board of County Commissioners on 2026-02-09 6:00 PM - Regular Session
Full Meeting on Granicus
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Wes Platt
Durham, NC
Neighborhood news guy for Southpoint Access in Durham.
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In This Video
  • A speaker shared updates on early voting dates, the application process and eligibility for the Durham Youth Works summer employment program, and the rescheduled Durham City-County Martin Luther King Jr. employee observance event, including its new date, location, and keynote speaker.
  • Commissioner Michele Burton highlighted new programming at the Museum of Durham History related to Research Triangle Park, while County Commissioner Wendy Jacobs and others outlined the public review and hearing process for the draft Unified Development Ordinance, including mailed notices, document access at libraries and online, and upcoming Planning Commission and joint public hearings.
  • A proclamation honored Judge Willis P. Whichard’s life and legacy, highlighting extensive service in North Carolina’s legislative and judicial branches, advocacy for the Equal Rights Amendment and coastal management, leadership at Campbell University’s law school, and the creation of a Durham County Library endowment preserving local and state history.
  • A speaker, identified as Judge Whichard’s daughter, expressed gratitude for the proclamation and shared how deeply Judge Whichard loved Durham, the library, and the community being honored.
  • Commissioner Michele Burton reflected on serving with Judge Whichard in library leadership roles, recalling meticulous attention to detail and a deep lifelong devotion to the Durham County Library and the broader Durham community.
  • County Commissioner Wendy Jacobs reflected on a late community leader as a true Renaissance figure, noting extensive public service, support for the library and Durham, authorship into their 80s, and a lasting legacy of mentoring Jacob’s child and many other young people.
  • Assistant County Manager Joanne Pierce introduced newly appointed Library Director Dana Connors, highlighted extensive library leadership experience in Texas and North Carolina, and welcomed the new director to briefly address the board.
  • New Library Director Dana Connors briefly introduced themself, noting just five weeks on the job, expressing appreciation for the community’s strong support for the library, and emphasizing that the dedicated staff made the library what it was.
  • Commissioners, the assistant county manager, and the county manager warmly welcomed new Library Director Dana Connors, emphasized the library’s central role in the community, and publicly thanked interim leaders for their service.
  • Commissioner Jacobs recognized consent agenda items celebrating over $1 million in investments for farmland protection, open space, and parks, as well as nearly $12 million in public safety investments, and thanked county staff for their work.
  • Scott Whiteman from the Planning and Development department explained a proposed text amendment to relax residential rules on parking recreational vehicles in driveways ahead of the new Unified Development Ordinance, noting recent enforcement concerns, unanimous Planning Commission and City Council support, and clarifying that more restrictive HOA rules would still apply but be enforced by the HOA.
  • The board unanimously adopted an ordinance amending the Unified Development Ordinance’s parking and loading provisions, then approved a required consistency statement, concluding the public hearing and voting on the item.
  • The board announced multiple appointments to county advisory bodies, filling vacant positions on the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, Board of Health, Boxing and Wrestling Commission, Durham Convention Center Authority, Durham County Women’s Commission, Durham Planning Commission, and Historic Preservation Commission.
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