What Becky does for Durham County Citizens

Accomplishments

About Becky

Boards and Committees Memberships

Awards

Becky Heron’s Accomplishments

• At the first meeting as a newly elected Commissioner Becky made a motion to move the meeting from 10 AM on Monday morning to 7 PM on Monday evening when working people could attend. The motion passed 3 to 2. The meeting remains at 7 PM on the second and fourth Monday.
• Becky was instrumental in developing the first land use plan for Durham County. This was based on her six years experience on the Planning and Zoning Commission.
• She worked with the County Attorney to develop the first animal control ordinance for Durham County.
• Becky was a leader that led to the construction of a modern animal shelter.
• And she convinced the Commission that it was to the best interest of the citizens of Durham County to contract with the Animal Protection Society to operate the County Animal Shelter.
• Becky worked with NC-DOT to lay out a new route for Eno Drive from along the Eno River to a northern route from US 15 to the US 70, now called the Northern Durham Parkway.
• The East End Connector funding is needed from DOT and Becky has pushed for this project.
• She was a member of the I-40 Appearance Committee that preserved a 100 foot buffer on I-40 that has prohibited Durham County’s portion of the interstate from becoming wall-to-wall billboards.
• Becky led the support for the planning and construction of the Center for Senior Life, thus meeting the needs of many of our senior citizens.
• She worked with Orange County to prevent a landfill near the headwaters of the Little River. The result is the Little River Park in Durham and Orange Counties.
• Becky played a major role in negotiating with Orange County, Durham City and Chapel Hill to preserve a portion of New Hope Creek as a regional park, and she serves on the planning committee for the park.
• The Farmland Preservation Committee of which she is a member has preserved over 1300 acres of farmland properties and more to come.
• She supported the work of the Open Space and Trails Committee resulting in the American Tobacco Trail.
• Becky was the first woman chair of the Durham Board of County Commissioners, opening the door to other women.
• She was one of the founders of the Durham County Inventory of Natural & Cultural Resources. This document is used by the Planning Departments to help prevent disruption of important natural and cultural sites.

Paid for by the Becky Heron Committee