Remembering Commissioner Bedford, Welcoming incoming Commissioner Dasi. August 4, 2026.
- Marilyn Carter
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Dear Friends -
On June 21, 2026, our community unexpectedly lost a leader of consequence: Orange County Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford.
A public memorial will be held by Jamezetta's family on August 22, and below you'll find stories about the lasting impact she had on me, my family and our broader community.
Jamezetta would have insisted that the work go on, and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board member and former Chair Rani Dasi has been named as her replacement. Warm congratulations and a bit about Rani's background follow.
Marilyn Carter Commissioner, District 1 Orange County NC |
Remembering Jamezetta.
Orange County Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford's public service reached every corner of our community, and it began in our schools.
Her youngest son was a classmate of my twin daughters at Ephesus Elementary. One daughter recently reminded me of how Jamezetta "was a Class Mom, always present, helping the teacher. One day, she taught us how to bake and we were so happy!"
When Jamezetta was elected a Commissioner after 12 years on the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education, I was a volunteer with the Orange County Democratic Party, and even as her own responsibilities grew, she continued to support the work of the party. Several years later, as she and the Board led our county through the COVID crisis, the community insights Jamezetta shared with me as Orange County's Democratic Party chair helped us disseminate public health information to our volunteers and accelerate our transition to meeting virtually.
Jamezetta's advocacy for people with disabilities was more than a policy position - it was a calling. When I joined the Governor's Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, I found in Jamezetta a passionate advocate who encouraged my continued involvement in that work.
When I joined her on the Board of Commissioners in 2024, then-Chair Bedford was a role model in the way she listened intently to community feedback, sought compromise for practical solutions, and championed our residents, especially the most vulnerable in our county. As a CPA, her financial acumen was equally formidable.
Jamezetta fought for the Orange County Behavioral Health Crisis Diversion Facility. Also known as the Behavioral Health Urgent Care center, the "BHUC" is expected to expand behavioral health services and strengthen the local continuum of care. Even when unable to attend our final budget meeting of the fiscal year, Jamezetta closely followed the Board's discussion on BHUC funding, which was unanimously approved on June 16 as part of the county's FY2026-27 budget.
I will miss her.
Congratulations to incoming Commissioner
Rani Dasi.
On July 20, the Orange County Democratic Party met to name Jamezetta's replacement on the November ballot and recommend a successor for the remainder of the current term, which ends in December. From six strong candidates, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board member and former Chair Rani Dasi was named, a recommendation the Board of Commissioners accepted on July 28.
Like Jamezetta, Rani brings deep roots in our public schools and financial acumen in her role as Vice President of Operations and Finance at RTI International. I look forward to working with Rani when she is sworn in at an upcoming Board meeting.
Looking ahead:
In the next update, I'll share more about my attendance in July at the UNC School of Government's Economic Development training, as well as sweeping changes proposed for federal funding to counties.
Also, 2026 property tax bills are arriving in the mail, and if you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out at my Orange County email address.
As always, I welcome your questions and comments.
Until next time,
Paid for by Friends of Marilyn Carter
Subscribe: https://www.marilyncarter.org/
