PO Box 9421
Chapel Hill, NC 27515-9421
(h) 919-260-2488
kleinschmidt2005.blogspot.com
mkleinschmidt@townofchapelhill.org
Term of Service
2009-2011 (2005–2009, 2001–2005)
Biography
Mark Kleinschmidt has served on the Chapel Hill Town Council since December 2001. He is one of five openly-gay North Carolinians to be elected in state history.
After six years as a staff attorney at the Center for Death Penalty Litigation in Durham, in October 2006 Kleinschmidt became the executive director of the Fair Trial Initiative (FTI). His practice combines his representation of several North Carolina capital defendants in post-conviction litigation with recruitment and mentorship of young attorneys and their development towards becoming capital trial attorneys. Previously, Kleinschmidt was a social studies teacher at West Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte where he was recognized as the 1997 teacher of the year.
He has served on numerous boards and organizations, including the North Carolina American Civil Liberties Union, the International Network of Lesbian and Gay Officials, the North Carolina Democratic Party and Equality NC. He also holds membership with the Triangle Business and Professional Guild.
Kleinschmidt earned his juris doctorate and bachelor’s degree in education, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and attended Universidad de las Americas.
He was born at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Ill., and lived in Hawaii and New Mexico before moving to Goldsboro, N.C. at the age of 10. His father, Jim Kleinschmidt, is a retired U.S. Air Force chief master sergeant and his mother, Marge Kleinschmidt, is a registered nurse. He has a twin sister, Michelle Barbee, who lives in Carrboro, N.C., with her daughter, Asia-Marie.
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Membership
- Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission
- Council Committee on Economic Development
- Council Committee on Firefighters’ Relief Fund
- Council on Sustainable Community (Chamber of Commerce)
- Human Services Advisory Board
- Inclusionary Zoning Task Force
- Justice in Action Committee
- Montessori School Committee
- Mayor’s Committee on Campaign Finance
- Mayor’s Committee on Council Communications
- Rogers Road Small Area Plan Task Force
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Duties
The primary mission of the Mayor and Council, as the governing body of the Town is to adopt and provide for the execution of ordinances, rules and regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to protect health, life or property, or to promote the comfort, convenience, security, good order, better government, or the general welfare of the Town and its citizens.
The Mayor and eight Council Members constitute the governing body of the Town. In accordance with the Town’s Charter, the voters elect a Mayor every two years. Council Members are elected to four-year, staggered terms on an at-large basis. Town Council duties include:
- Amendment of previously adopted policies through changes in the Town Code of Ordinances and the Development Ordinance, and by revision of policies and documents.
- Appointment of advisory boards, commissions, task forces and committees.
- Appointment of the Town Manager and Town Attorney.
- Establishment of agreements with other governments.
High Resolution Photograph Available
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