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List of mayors of Chapel Hill, North Carolina facts for kids

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Mayor of Chapel Hill
Incumbent
Jessica Anderson
since 2023
Formation 1869 (1869)
First holder Hugh Blair Guthrie


The Mayor of Chapel Hill is the main leader of the town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The mayor works with the Town Council to make important decisions for the town. Think of the mayor as the head of a team of eight people on the council.

The mayor leads all the meetings of the Town Council. They also get to vote on every issue that the council discusses. The mayor is seen as the official face of Chapel Hill. They represent the town when dealing with state and national governments.

What Does the Mayor Do?

The mayor and the Town Council have important jobs. Their main goal is to create rules and plans that help the town. These rules are called ordinances. They make sure everyone in Chapel Hill is safe and healthy.

The council also works to make the town a good place to live. This includes making sure things are convenient and orderly. They want to improve the general well-being of all residents.

How the Mayor is Chosen

People in Chapel Hill vote for the mayor and council members. These elections are nonpartisan, meaning candidates don't run as part of a political party. Council members serve for four years. The mayor serves for two years.

To become mayor or a council member, you must be a registered voter. You also need to live in Chapel Hill. People in these roles cannot hold other paid government jobs at the same time. They must also share information about any property they own in town. They also share their business interests.

Voting and Vacancies

Sometimes, a mayor or council member might not vote on an issue. This can happen if the issue involves their own money or actions. If a member is present but doesn't vote, it usually counts as a "yes" vote.

If the mayor's position becomes empty, someone new is chosen. This person finishes the rest of the mayor's term. If there aren't enough council members to make decisions, the mayor can appoint new members. This helps the council get back to work. If the mayor is not there, the governor can help fill empty spots.

History of the Mayor's Role

The role of mayor in Chapel Hill has changed over time. Before 1879, the mayor was a judge. This judge was hired by a group called the Board of Commissioners. Their job was to act like police officers.

In 1879, a new rule made this role more official. Then, in 1895, another rule changed things again. This new rule said that the town's citizens would elect the mayor. On May 5, 1895, John H. Watson became the first elected mayor.

List of Chapel Hill Mayors

Here is a list of the people who have served as Mayor of Chapel Hill:

# Mayor Term start Term end
1 Guthrie, Hugh BlairHugh Blair Guthrie 1869 1872
2 Watson, John H.John H. Watson 1872 1872
3 Carr, John W.John W. Carr 1873 1874
4 White, JohnJohn White 1874 1874
5 Mickel, AndrewAndrew Mickel 1874 1876
6 Watson, John H.John H. Watson 1876 1879
7 Cheek, MerrittMerritt Cheek 1879 1882
8 Watson, JonesJones Watson 1882 1883
9 Watson, John H.John H. Watson 1883 1884
10 McDade, A.J.A.J. McDade 1884 1885
11 Watson, John H.John H. Watson 1885 1887
12 Pritchard, William N.William N. Pritchard 1887 1888
13 McDade, A.J.A.J. McDade 1888 1891
14 Watson, John H.John H. Watson 1891 1895
15 Barbee, Algernon S.Algernon S. Barbee 1895 1901
16 MacRae Jr., James C.James C. MacRae Jr. 1901 1903
17 Roberson, William S.William S. Roberson 1903 1907
18 Barbee, Algernon S.Algernon S. Barbee 1907 1911
19 Roberson, William S.William S. Roberson 1911 1913
20 McLendon, L.P.L.P. McLendon 1913 1914
21 Roberson, William S.William S. Roberson 1914 1927
22 Council, ZebulonZebulon Council 1927 1933
23 Foushee, John M.John M. Foushee 1933 1942
24 Madry, R.W.R.W. Madry 1942 1949
25 Lanier, Edwin S.Edwin S. Lanier 1949 1954
26 Cornwell, Oliver K.Oliver K. Cornwell 1954 1961
27 McClamroch, RolandRoland McClamroch 1961 1969
28 Nathaniel Lee, HowardHoward Nathaniel Lee 1969 1975
29 Wallace, JamesJames Wallace 1975 1979
30 Nassif, Joseph L.Joseph L. Nassif 1979 1985
31 Wallace, JamesJames Wallace 1985 1987
32 Howes, JonathanJonathan Howes 1987 1991
34 Broun, KennethKenneth Broun 1991 1995
35 Waldorf, RosemaryRosemary Waldorf 1995 2001
36 Foy, KevinKevin Foy 2001 2009
37 Kleinschmidt, MarkMark Kleinschmidt 2009 2015
38 Hemminger, PamPam Hemminger 2015 2023
39 Anderson, JessicaJessica Anderson 2023 Incumbent
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