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Jean Hamilton

DEMOCRAT

Jean Hamilton is running for Orange County Commissioner.

Personal background

Jean is a resident of Chapel Hill who received a master's degree in social work from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a doctorate degree in economics from UC Berkeley. She is married to Wayne.

Professional background

Jean is a licensed clinical social worker with a private psychotherapy and counseling practice, and has also taught mindfulness meditation classes and worked part-time at the UNCG student counseling center. Additionally, she has served as a guardian for adults and a hospice social worker.

Political background

Jean Hamilton previously served on the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Board of Education from 2005 to 2009 for one term, was appointed to the same board in 2010-2011 and again in 2019. She has also been a county commissioner for three years.

Public Services

Believes in listening to and understanding the needs and values of the entire community for effective public services.

Supports public services that aid vulnerable residents, including immigrants, people with disabilities, and older adults.

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Economy

Supports growing the commercial base while protecting the environment and promoting equity, assessing job benefits for residents, and reducing barriers for new businesses.

Believes commissioners should make smarter budget decisions and prioritize community values to minimize tax increases, and as a county commissioner, supported hiring a consultant for the first-ever Orange County Strategic Plan to guide balanced budget decisions.

Supports developing the economy by creating good jobs, providing affordable housing, and ensuring reliable, convenient transportation.

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Education

Believes deteriorating school facilities harm children's health, safety, and learning, and supports addressing aging schools as an equity, economic development, and environmental issue.

Believes in "investing in our young people through adequate funding of public schools," and supports policies that enhance K-12 education.

As chair of the Capital Needs Work Group, initiated a collaborative effort to address aging school facilities by recommending the hiring of a consultant to evaluate and provide solutions for both Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.

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Public Safety

Supports an exemplary criminal justice resource department to divert people from the criminal justice system.

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Housing & Urban Development

Supports increasing affordable housing by collaborating with non-profits and developing the Greene Tract, and plans to seek community feedback on development design plans.

Supports addressing critical needs in Orange County, including affordable housing, public transportation, and caring for vulnerable residents.

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Transportation & Infrastructure

Believes transit planning should have a regional focus, promote alternative transportation modes, and consider environmental and equity factors, and as a school board member, voted to adopt the 2022 Orange County Transit plan.

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