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,~ <br />He said that the Phase 2 process anticipates having public input in April and May of <br />2008. The coalition requests that the project management team give advice to the coalition on <br />how to present information to the advisory boards as they are drafting the objectives. He <br />made reference to a reply from Tom Altieri on behalf of the project management team that <br />indicated that the preferred time for public input was April and May, but any member of the <br />public was welcome to attend meetings to observe. He said that the coalition thinks that <br />interaction is very important at an earlier stage than April or May. He said that without earlier <br />communication, it could be detrimental because the proposal needs to gain widespread public <br />support in advance of the public hearings. <br />Commissioner Foushee arrived at 7:48 pm. <br />Dolly Hunter is from Bingham Township and spoke as a member of CAN, Citizen Action <br />Network; a member of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan Coalition; and as a voice for <br />the rural County citizens. She asked the Board to create ways for more public input during <br />December-February development of the objectives to reach the goals. She said that all of the <br />many issues of growth -transportation, more affordable housing, economic development, and <br />truly protecting agricultural and natural areas -need to be addressed in innovative, creative <br />ways. She said that the people that live here should work here and the people that work here <br />should be able to live here. She said that Orange County should be forward thinking like <br />Huntersville, North Carolina; Guilford County, North Carolina; Trenton Township, Ohio; and <br />Sussex County, Delaware. She read from the Planning Board Powers and Duties: "The <br />Planning Board is to cooperate with the township advisory councils so comprehensive plans <br />may receive fullest consideration." She said that with no township advisory councils, people <br />feel disenfranchised. She said that the Planning Board needs to cooperate in other ways with <br />the citizens so that the plan can be the best. She also read from the Orange County Zoning <br />Ordinance Comprehensive Plan Intent: "In preparation and adoption of a plan element, area <br />plan, or other similar document, the Board of County Commissioners shall be ever mindful of <br />the need to balance the public interest with the needs of the private interests, particularly in the <br />conservation of surface, underground water, soil resources, and natural growth resources of <br />the County." She asked the Board to figure out a way to include the public more. <br />Chair Carey said that the Board of County Commissioners does not take action on <br />items not on the public agenda, but will refer them to staff. <br />b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br />(These matters were considered when the Board addressed that item on the agenda <br />below.) <br />3. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br />a. Non Profit Awareness month <br />The Board considered proclaiming November 2007 as "Nonprofit Awareness Month." <br />Trisha Lester said that she works with the North Carolina Center for Non- Profits, which <br />serves all charitable non-profits across the state. She read the proclamation. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to <br />approve the proclamation declaring November 2007 as "Non- Profit Awareness Month" as <br />stated below: <br />Proclamation <br />