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<br />Mr. Whitfield answered, "NO, I don't recall any objections to the grant application
<br />being made for the grant whatever. Nobody objected to the application being made and all
<br />the Area Board members, I'm sure, was aware that there would be some money wanted, but, as
<br />for myself, I made no committtient to raise the money, course I didn't say it wouldn't be
<br />raised. They were making application because I knew that it was a matter that when the time
<br />came then were going to be looking for somE money; and that would be up to the Board of
<br />;.ommissioners. I didn't realize in the application, I didn't know, that these facts had
<br />teen sta±ed that the money was aside and all this. I never seen the application myself and
<br />I 'sinew nothing, all i knew was that the staff was working on it and making application."
<br />Chairman Garrett asked, "Are there any additional questions for Mr. Whitfield?"
<br />Thank you. Are therE any additional questions? Mr. Whitted.".
<br />Commissioner Whitted replied, "No, I don't think I have any questions. I'd like
<br />to make a statement at this point. I've listened v~Ery objectively, of coursE, I have
<br />been involved as a Area Mental Health Hoard member and a County Commissioner, maybe z
<br />was aware of more things going on than some of the other members and it's a possibility,
<br />that I, as an Area Mental Board member, could communicate effectively with this Board,
<br />but I think it's been shown that all the Commissioners at that time were aware that the
<br />application was being. made and that local money would $ei necessary. I think that the
<br />reason this meeting was called was to get some questions answered that was raised at an earlier
<br />meeting by Mr. Walker; and I tried to bE objective in listening; I don't think that any
<br />well-greased cover-up was taking place; and I think that everybody was stating what they
<br />thought, what they felt were the circumstances as they proceeded to make this application
<br />and the State in awarding the application. And certainly no one at any point thought
<br />they were committing any money, any funds for the County Commissioners and the County
<br />Commissioners did not commit any; and as Mr. Webb pointed cut that the sequence of events
<br />is, as far as assurance at this point or a letter of intent from the local government
<br />about the local money which they said was appropriated and which was the proper .sequence
<br />of events. And I think it has been amply pointed out that the A-.95 Review Process with
<br />the Council of Governments would be made aware to the members of this Board and the
<br />representatives that represent us at the Council of Governments, the County Manager,
<br />and also to the Chairman at that time, and no questions were raised then about the
<br />561,D00.00 local match. Again, as I said before, I felt that some misundezstanding
<br />probably occurred from lack of proper communication, but I do feel that at this point most
<br />of the questions that I have heard raised have been answered at this point; and to ask
<br />the State to rescind this grant at this point would not indicate that this Board, and I
<br />would not be in favor of doing that .at this .timE. as a me_nber of this Board and a member
<br />of the Area Mental Health Board, to do that mould indicate that we are not willing to pro-
<br />vide the necessary services. It's been pointed out by Mr. Webb, and I have seen the
<br />review from the site visit group and I am furthur aware of the space limitations that
<br />Mental Health Canter is faced with in Orange County; and I do fEel. that in order to
<br />serve the clients of the Mental Health Canter it is necessary at this paint, to either
<br />acquire this Northside site, which to me is 'the most feasible at this point, to pro-
<br />vide the necessary space. I guess, in summing what I've been trying to say, is that,
<br />T guess I can see the questions in Mr. Walker's hand, he has indicated at certain
<br />points that the procedure has been explained and he has no further questions on some --
<br />points and that any other points I hcpe are cleared up for him now because we are at
<br />a critical point where we need to move on with this project. Does anybody have any
<br />other comments?"
<br />Commissioner Walker replied, "I would like to say, that it's clear in a fashion;
<br />but I certainly disagree with the procedure of giving applications (Unable to Decipher).
<br />T certainly am in accord with Mental Health. It is a. very worthy cause to the County.'
<br />but as we point out the need, i have read this history of Mental Health sincE it. came
<br />to Orange County, I van tell you right now; and it states here in comparison to the rear,
<br />of the United States, North Carolina is one of the leaders in pursuing cpmmunity Mental'
<br />Health goals so I wonder how wE stand in the way of need if cur need is of course
<br />greater than anybody ekes sincE we are]eaders in North Carolina."
<br />Chairman Garrett inquired, "Are there any additional questions? If there are
<br />no further questions, comments, we certainly appreciate your coming tonight. Yes, Mr.
<br />Dunlap."
<br />Mr. Henry Dunlap, Commissioner from Chatham County, stated, "I am a new member.
<br />Mr. White really should probably speak to this, but I have spoken with each of our '
<br />commissioners and former Commissioners and/no one was ever apprised of the, even the '
<br />approach to the situation, that I can ascertain. My point is that if we're. liable
<br />for the $11,000.00, or half of, the $11,000.00, we're not prepared in our budget as
<br />of this year to fund that money. It has not beEn approved."
<br />Commissioner walker stated, "Excuse me and thank you sir, and I d like to reiterate
<br />what Benny Bradsher told me, it's a little contrary to what Mr. Lewis has said. I talked
<br />to him sometime a week or two ago, and he said he had no knowledge of any commitment of
<br />the Person County Board whatsoever. He had turned this over to Mr. Ralph Lewis and I
<br />assume here that. he was appointed by Mr. Lewis to the Area Health Board as one .of the re-
<br />presentatives of Person County. 3e was Listed as owe."
<br />Commissoner•:4hitted asked, "Is he a member of the Area Mental Health Board?"
<br />Commissioner Walker replied, "No, Benny SradshEr is the Chairman of the Board."
<br />(Some questions and answers concerning this appointment were briefly exchanged
<br />between Cammisssianer Whitted, Mx. Lewis, Mr. Curtis Bradsher, and Commissioner Walker.
<br />CIInable to decipher all of this.)
<br />commissioner Walker continued, "Hut I have talked with the Chairman of the Board
<br />and he knows nothing about any commitment from Person County. I scare wish he could have
<br />been here tonight."
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