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WHEREAS, Pickards Mountain in Bingham Township is one such treasure, listed on the Inventory of <br />Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat as one of the most important natural areas in the County, and <br />WHEREAS, the majority of the Pickard's Mountain natural area became available for sale in early <br />1999, and <br />WHEREAS, Timothy P. Toben stepped forward as a conservation buyer to purchase 350 acres of <br />this area and preserve an important 143-acre portion through a conservation easement with the <br />Conservation Trust for North Carolina, and <br />WHEREAS, Orange County through its Lands Legacy program seeks to conserve priority natural <br />and cultural resource areas through voluntary acquisitions and partnerships with other private and <br />public entities, and <br />WHEREAS, private land conservation in collaboration with non-profit land trusts is inherently <br />consistent with the principles of the Lands Legacy program: <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: <br />That the Orange County Commissioners publicly commend Mr. Timothy P. Toben for his outstanding <br />commitment to the conservation of natural resources in Orange County by his conservation <br />purchase and subsequent deeds to preserve Pickards Mountain. <br />BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County recognizes the personal and financial sacrifice made <br />by Mr. Toben toward preserving the County's natural resource heritage. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />Molly Beecham from the Conservation Trust said that public/private partnerships were the <br />cornerstone of their success and encouraged the County to join the State and the local Eno River <br />Association and Triangle Land Conservancy in protecting and preserving land. <br />b. Creation of School Issues Task Force <br />The Board considered a resolution appointing a standing school issues task force. <br />John Link said that this resolution requests that the Commissioners appoint two <br />representatives from each school board and two representatives from the Board of County <br />Commissioners to address school needs and other issues. Also, because of the bond referendum in <br />November 2001, it is important to address school construction standards and student capacities for <br />each school. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that there was already a Schools and Land Use Council <br />which could address some of these same issues. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that this task force could get the County ready for a <br />November 2001 bond referendum and then it could be disbanded. He thinks that this task force <br />could discuss the issue of school construction standards. He feels that there are a lot of issues with <br />school capacity that need to be discussed and defined. <br />Commissioner Gordon suggested calling it just a task force instead of a 'standing' task <br />force. She said that it sounds to her that this would be a school facilities task force. <br />Commissioner Jacobs feels it is important to resolve a lot of school issues, especially the <br />construction standards. <br />Chair Carey feels that the school boards intend that this committee will not only address <br />facility and construction issues but other school/County related issues. This group may not meet <br />continuously but only when needed. <br />