Local officials are mourning the death of a vital political figure. 

Former Chapel Hill Town Councilman Joe Herzenberg passed away Sunday at UNC Hospitals at the age of 66 due to the effects of diabetes.  Chapel Hill Herald writer Beth Villiquette says Herzenberg influenced many current local officials.

A native of New Jersey, Herzenberg came to Chapel Hill in the early 70s as a graduate student at UNC after receiving his undergraduate degree from Yale. He first ran for a Town Council seat in 1979, but was unsuccessful.

Later that year, he filled a vacant position on the council and served two years. He was elected to a seat in 1987, where he took firm stances on the environment and civil rights.

Herzenberg was one of the first openly gay public officials in the south. Many of his friends were bedside when Herzenberg passed away Sunday night.