Agenda - 01-22-2009 - 6e - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Tom Stevens commented that Hillsborough's staff had put the meeting together, and that Town Clerk Donna Armbrister would be taking the minutes. He asked that when speaking that people identify themselves for the record. Mayor Stevens stated in the past these meetings had been underachieving and they were jointly accountable for that. He asked that they all use their time together wisely and be responsible for getting the most out of that time by discussing issues of importance. Mayor Stevens stated the agenda had been designed to talk about those subjects of interest to all, as well as to talk about the themes of tonight's meeting, which was water and affordable housing. He stated they would begin with some brief reports, each under five minutes, and then have some significant discussion time on water and affordable housing. Commissioner Jacobs recognized Commissioner Mike Cross from Chatham County, and invited him to sit at the table with the other elected officials. 2) QUICK REPORTS INFORMATIONAL a. Orange County Organizing Committee 7:41:06 PM Mark Davidson, Pastor of the Church of Reconciliation in Chapel Hill, stated he was speaking on behalf of the OCOC. He explained that the OCOC was a broad-based, grass roots organization working for change in the community, and represented the concerns of thousands of Orange County citizens. Mr. Davidson stated they were interfaith, multi-racial, and non-partisan and took no government or corporate money, and were therefore self-sustaining through dues. He stated that social justice, the common good, care of the earth, and loving their neighbors were their key principles, and all of their work derived from a bedrock commitment to human flourishing and the realization of each person's God given potential. Mr. Davidson stated over the last year they had held numerous meetings and focus groups to determine the issues that affected people directly and impacted their lives. He said from those meetings six issues arose as priorities: affordable housing, health care, living wage, education, environmental justice, and the treatment of immigrant families. Mr. Davidson stated those priorities were currently guiding their work, and they would partner with community organizations and coalitions already working on those issues. Mr. Davidson said the OCOC strongly supported the Rogers Road neighborhood in their demand that Site 669 be removed from the list of potential sites for a waste transfer station. He stated they were also partnering with Glen Lenox residents to support the issue of affordable housing. Mr. Davidson stated the OCOC wanted to lay the groundwork for a good working relationship with each government within Orange County as they cooperated on issues of concern to them all. He stated the elected officials would soon be receiving an invitation to attend their next delegates assembly scheduled for October 29th at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill, to be 2