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6 <br />ADDED ITEM <br />E. PUBLIC FORUM ON THE SCHOOL BOND <br />Commissioner Willhoit stated he feels there needs to be a more <br />concerted effort to provide an opportunity for dialogue on the bond issue. He <br />proposed that there be two forums with one in the Hillsborough area and one <br />in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area. He would like the county to provide a <br />mechanism for questions by the general public to be answered. His main <br />concern is that there is a lot of misinformation being circulated and a public <br />meeting would help clarify the issues. He suggested that the first two hours <br />of the Board's regular meeting scheduled for October 20 be devoted to a forum <br />on the bond issue. <br />Chair Carey suggested that the public be encouraged to raise their <br />questions directly with the school boards rather than with the County <br />Commissioners. Most of the information being circulated has been prepared by <br />the schools. <br />Commissioner Gordon suggested that these forums be coordinated with <br />what the bond committee is doing. She did not agree with having the forum on <br />a regular board night. <br />John Link indicated that there is a lot of misinformation being <br />distributed. He feels that these specific allegations need to be addressed. <br />It was decided that this request would be made to the bond <br />committee by the County Manager. The dates will be coordinated with the bond <br />committee and the two school boards. <br />IX. BOARD COMMENTS <br />Commissioner Halkiotis indicated he was disturbed when reading about <br />a teenager who "died as car plunges into the Eno." The article stated that <br />Mayor Horace Johnson indicated that this was the third person to lose control <br />near a dilapidated wooden bridge over the Eno River since the realignment of <br />Eno Mountain Road three years ago. It further indicated that the Orange County <br />Commissioners delayed the project that would have replaced this bridge. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis emphasized that this is a Department of Transportation <br />function and not the function of the County. Either the newspaper or the <br />Mayor is in error and a retraction needs to be pursued. Another story in the <br />Chapel Hill Herald stated that the landfill siting issue is in the County <br />Commissioners court and no action will take place until they approve the <br />testing. However, Chapel Hill could proceed without the County's approval if <br />it so desires. Commissioner Halkiotis indicated that the landfill issue does <br />not need to be made into a game. It is serious and everyone needs to be <br />sensitive to what the citizens who live near the potential landfill sites <br />feel. He asked that this not turn into a political basketball game. It is <br />important to consider those who live near these potential sites. <br />Commissioner Gordon stated that the Department of Transportation <br />will begin their hearings on the TIP in November. She recommends that Gene <br />Bell be allowed to update and work on the County's presentation. She offered <br />to work with him on this. <br />X. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT - NONE <br />XI. APPOINTMENTS - NONE <br />