HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-15-2022; 8-g - Resolution Re-Naming the Whitted Meeting Room to the Donna S. Baker Meeting Room 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 15, 2022
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-g
SUBJECT: Resolution Re-Naming the Whitted Meeting Room to the Donna S. Baker
Meeting Room
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Resolution Chair Renee Price, 919-245-2130
Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board, 919-
245-2130
PURPOSE: To adopt a resolution re-naming the Whitted Meeting Room after Donna S. Baker,
former Clerk to the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
BACKGROUND: On July 31, 2020, former Clerk to the Board of Commissioners Donna Baker
passed away unexpectedly at her home in Orange County. Ms. Baker served as Clerk to the
Board for 18 years since her appointment in June 2002.
Ms. Baker graduated from high school in Georgetown, SC and subsequently from Clemson
University with Honors in 1978. Ms. Baker built a lifelong career of community service from her
early work with parents and children at The Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill, to positions
with Georgetown, SC County Government, and her last position as Clerk to the Orange County
Board of County Commissioners.
The Board of County Commissioners voted on September 15, 2020 to direct staff to prepare a
resolution re-naming the Whitted Meeting Room to the Donna S. Baker Meeting Room. Should
the re-naming resolution be approved, a special presentation marking the naming will be held at
the December 13, 2022 BOCC Business Meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this resolution.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the attached resolution re-naming the Whitted Meeting Room the Donna S. Baker
Meeting Room.
RES-2022-063 2
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION RE-NAMING THE WHITTED MEETING ROOM TO THE
DONNA S. BAKER MEETING ROOM
WHEREAS, Donna S. Baker, former Clerk to the Orange County Board of
Commissioners, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Orange County on July 31,
2020; and
WHEREAS, Donna S. Baker was appointed Clerk to the Board in June 2002 and served
as Clerk for over 18 years; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Clemson University with Honors in 1978, Donna S.
Baker built a lifelong career of community service from her early work with parents and
children in need at The Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill, to positions with
Georgetown, SC County Government, and to Clerk to the Orange County Board of
Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, Donna S. Baker served the residents of Orange County and a total of 18
different members of the Board of Commissioners as a dependable, smart, dedicated,
steadfast, and calming spirit; and
WHEREAS, former County Commissioner Moses Carey commented, "She was so good
to all of us. She treated County residents with special warmth when they came to her for
help. She was a real friend and dedicated public servant, especially to the Board of
Orange County Commissioners;" and
WHEREAS, former County Commissioner and North Carolina State Senator Valerie
Foushee shared, "I knew Donna for 40 years, and she remained the same person for that
entire period of time: bright, respectful and caring. She was the most trusted, respected
county employee during my time as a commissioner, and I suspect to the end. She made
every commissioner feel like he/she was her favorite. That's a gift;" and
WHEREAS, Donna S. Baker will be remembered for her spirit, her energy, and her service
to Orange County and beyond;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners does hereby re-name the Whitted Meeting Room to the Donna S. Baker
Meeting Room.
This the 15th day of November, 2022.
Renee A. Price, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners