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Chair Jacobs said that this year will be the 250th anniversary of the start of Orange County <br />government and they thought it would be appropriate to start the year recognizing former living County <br />Commissioners. He also mentioned the other elected officials in County government and said that we by <br />no means want to slight them. He said that history is a lot of emotional, spiritual, and physical labor for <br />those who make decisions in County government. He introduced those former County Commissioners <br />who were present. <br />1. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA <br />The Board added 8-n, Changes in Board of County Commissioners' meeting schedule. <br />PUBLIC CHARGE <br />Chair Barry Jacobs dispensed with the reading of the public charge. <br />2. CITIZEN & AUDIENCE COMMENTS <br />a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br />Shawn Jefferies spoke about the parkland at Eubanks Road and Old NC 86. He is a <br />representative and council member of the Occaneechi Band of Saponi Nation. His tribe serves the <br />members that live in Orange County, Alamance County, and Caswell County. He said that his tribe <br />understands that Orange County is in the process of commissioning a new park near the intersection of <br />Eubanks Road and Old NC 86. His tribe would like to invite the County Commissioners to use some of <br />the traditional Native American language in the naming of the park. The tribe is eager to work with the <br />County Commissioners or any committee in finding an appropriate name for the park as well as a <br />translation. He left some contact information. He thanked the Board of County Commissioners on behalf <br />of the Occaneechi Band of Saponi Nation for the attention given to this matter. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked for some information about the written language. <br />Chair Jacobs asked Mr. Jefferies to contact Environment and Resource Conservation Director <br />David Stancil about this matter. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that it was an excellent suggestion to consider using the Native <br />American language as the name for the park. <br />b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters were considered as the Board addressed the <br />items on the agenda below.) <br />3. BOARD COMMENTS <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that today he and Commissioner Carey represented the County <br />Commissioners and traveled to Guilford County to visit a program called Middle College. This is a <br />program for young people who do not thrive in a traditional high school setting. At Guilford Tech, the <br />program starts at 12:00 and runs until 5:00. The students can also take college course work during the <br />morning. The YMCA is also giving gym space at a very reasonable price for this program. He said that <br />this was a very cost-effective program. There is one principal and six teachers for 120 students. He said <br />that we should work on getting a program like this in Orange County. <br />Commissioner Carey said that what was important about the program was the concept of caring for <br />the kids. He said that the program was funded through existing streams of revenue through the state <br />school system, with very little local funds involved. He said that we should begin immediately to work with <br />both school systems to try to develop this concept or some variation. He said that this alternative is one <br />that has the flexibility to pull students back in and it invigorates them. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that this program was exciting. One principal said that he has had no <br />phone calls from any of the parents complaining since the program started. This is significant for a high <br />school program. He would be more than willing to represent this group as it moves along. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that we have not received a response from Governor Easley's office <br />regarding the resolution sent about using the National Guard to help with security at the Shearon Harris <br />Plant and all nuclear power plants in North Carolina. He thinks another letter should be sent to the <br />Governor asking him if he received the first resolution. He would like a response to the resolution. <br />