From correspondent Virginia Bridges
Durham County commissioners appointed Pam Karriker to fill Becky Heron’s vacated seat tonight.
After a 3-1 vote, Karriker, 57, a community volunteer, past City Council candidate, and former mortgage broker could be sworn in as soon as Monday to fill the seat that Heron left Aug. 1 for health reasons. She beat eight other applicants seeking the position.
Commissioners Michael Page, Joe Bowser and Brenda Howerton voted to appoint Karriker, breaking a previous 2-2 deadlock among commissioners.
On Sept. 12, Bowser and Commissioner Ellen Reckhow voted for environmentalist and former planning commissioner Wendy Jacobs, whom Heron had endorsed. Page and Howerton supported Karriker.
Bowser said he decided to change his mind to “bring some kind of working relationship to this board,” which has been publicly feuding over the past two months.
Reckhow continued to support Jacobs tonight.
Look for more from tonight's meeting, including the commissioners' vote on the 751 South developers' request for sewer service in tomorrow's News & Observer.
