Orange County NC Website
a.,~, <br />r, ::, . <br />Commissioner Gustaveson stated during the 1960's there <br />was rapid growth in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area, while the <br />northern end of the County did not grow in the same manner. He <br />added that this was a major period of catch up for the Chapel <br />Hill-Carrboro area. <br />Mr. 5eaber spoke of the Health Department. He stated the <br />County had more health services, more hospital beds than could <br />possibly be anywhere, yet the County continues to increase in this <br />area. <br />He then spoke against the budget of the Recreation Iepartment. <br />He stated this budget had increased 579 over the last four <br />years and if this rate continued over the next four years, the <br />County would be spending over two million dollars for this program. <br />He suggested that the Recreation program is a give-a-way program, <br />and does nothing for the County. He concluded his remarks by <br />stating the thrust of the budget was toward a socialist county. <br />Mr. Sam Holton, a Chapel Hill taxpayer, stated he and a <br />lot of other people in the County had n.uch invested in the Chapel <br />Hill-Carrboro school system and the County school system and he <br />would hate to see that investment go dawn the drain because some <br />people were yelling taxpayer revolt. He stated that the Landowners <br />Association does not speak far the people in his end of the County <br />and he suspects it does not speak for the majority of the people <br />in Orange County. <br />Mr. Holton stated he was not disturbed by the proposed <br />8 cents tax increase, as this would mean an increase of about <br />$29.00 for the average property owner. <br />He spoke of the need for full funding of the two school <br />systems budgets. He stated this was an opportunity to provide <br />good school systems and the Co linty needs the best systems it can <br />get. He stated if the Board could not fund the full requests of <br />the two systems, that the Board consider raising the school district <br />supplement tax closer to the 35 cent rate. Fie urged the Board not <br />to listen to a handful of people from the north end of the County <br />regarding the proposed tax increase. <br />Joy Williams, a teacher in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school <br />system, stated she did not feel a maintenance budget was enough. <br />. She spoke of the need to do mare for the exceptional children <br />and that mandated laws require more to be done and the monies <br />must come from some source. She stated that teachers needed <br />materials to work with these children and the resources to <br />carry out proposed programs. She stated the average classroom <br />cannot train children with emotional problems. She urged .the <br />Board ,to provide funding for the emotionally disturbed child <br />as well as all exceptional children's programs. <br />James R. Freeland, an Orange County School Board member, stated <br />he felt the County Board of Education had attempted to live within <br />the means of the bond monies; however, it seemed the County system <br />is being penalized for this effort. He stated the proposed capital <br />outlay in the County budget was not sufficient to meet the County's <br />needs and that the majority of people in Orange County are willing <br />to pay for the services. He urged the award to not listen to <br />a small group of County people who refuse to support anything. <br />Linda Barnard, President of the Chapel Hill High School <br />PISA, spoke of the need to provide competency testing for high <br />school students in order to prepare them to deal with the many <br />problems of adult life. She stated this cannot•be done without <br />proper funding. She also spoke of the vocational program and <br />its needs. She stated parents expect high standards from their <br />schools and are prepared to pay more than they are now paying. <br />