Durham commissioners introduce new emergency services director and issue multiple April proclamations

The Durham County Board of County Commissioners on April 8 introduced Mark Lockhart as the county’s new director of the Office of Emergency Services and issued a series of April proclamations on reentry, fair housing, child abuse prevention and Black maternal health.

Assistant County Manager Dwane Brinson introduced Mark Lockhart, who thanked the board and County Manager for the appointment and said he would continue serving Durham County as OES director. Chair Nida Allam and other commissioners expressed appreciation for his willingness to take on the role.

The board read several proclamations. Chair Allam read a proclamation declaring April 2024 as “Second Chance Month,” citing the state’s Reentry 2030 initiative and noting the county statistic that more than 400 residents return from state and federal prison annually and that nearly 6,600 individuals cycle through the local detention facility each year. Roshanna Parker, director of the Justice Services Department, and staff acknowledged the proclamation and thanked the board for support of local reentry programs.

Commissioner Heidi Carter read a proclamation designating April as Fair Housing Month, invoking the federal Fair Housing Act and urging continued local work to expand homeownership and access. Grace Jones, president of the Durham Regional Association of REALTORS, said Durham needs greater diversity in homeownership and more lower-priced homes for residents to purchase.

During a proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month read by Commissioner Wendy Jacobs, the board published county child-welfare figures for fiscal year July 2022–June 2023: 3,181 reports received and 1,518 reports accepted for suspected child abuse and neglect. Department of Social Services Director Maggie Cvetican told commissioners the department is restructuring to emphasize prevention, noted that cases the county receives are often severe and that some parents travel to other counties for needed services, and said staff are coordinating with the Justice Services Department on supportive programs.

Vice Chair Nimasheena Burns read proclamations recognizing the Omega Zeta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi’s 50th anniversary at Duke University and declaring April 11–17 as Black Maternal Health Week. Durham Women’s Commission members Ruby Holmes and Kiersten Bethea thanked the board and invited residents to related local events.

The board closed the ceremonial portion of the meeting by thanking department representatives and community leaders for their work and engagement. The meeting proceeded to the consent agenda and other business.