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2 <br />Commissioner Gordon noted that the Triangle Transit Authority is providing van service <br />between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. They are interested in providing additional vanpool service <br />and buspool service which could be a help to all Orange County citizens. John Link will let those <br />departments which could benefit from this service know about these TTA operations. She <br />recognized and commended the people in the County who worked on the youth forum, especially <br />Sharron Siler and noted that Orange County had provided most of the funding for the forum. As a <br />member of the UNC Planning Panel, she reported that the consultants answered questions and will <br />return the latter part of March for a public hearing. This group is preparing a third interim report on <br />their recommendations. She will provide additional information later on the specifics of this public <br />hearing. <br />Commissioner Crowther noted that he will need to leave this meeting for a short period of <br />time. This meeting was postponed from February 5 to this evening and he had a previous <br />commitment. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis distributed a petition with 58 signatures. The petition reads as <br />follows: <br />"TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: <br />We, the residents of Mary Hall Road, are writing concerning the maintenance of Mary Hall <br />Road. For a while the upkeep and condition of the road has been a major concern of the residents. <br />Most recently, the use of improper gravel has not only caused deflated tires on many cars of the <br />residents on the road but also deflated tires of customers visiting businesses on Mary Hall Road. In <br />addition to this, the trees and branches on the road have gone untouched for months at a time. This <br />presents a major hazard for people traveling on the road as well as the school bus drivers that travel <br />on the road transporting our children to and from school daily. <br />Located on Mary Hall Road are many professional workers which are unable to resume work <br />as quickly as their co-workers because we are-forgotten during inclement weather. In the past five <br />years, many new homes and businesses have been built on Mary Hall. After meeting on this issue of <br />the poor condition and upkeep of the road, the residents of Mary Hall Road felt that it was absolutely <br />imperative that we communicate our concerns to the Board of Commissioners. Quite frankly, it is <br />our desire that our road be paved. We feel that we have been patient and we would like to reap <br />some of the benefits of our tax dollars. Thank you for your prompt, anticipated help." <br />Commissioner Halkiotis also made reference to the County's fire inspection program <br />and asked why it would cost the same to inspect a large store like WalMart and a small 600 sq.ft. <br />business. He asked that John Link and Geof Gledhill look into the equity of this charge. <br />Chair Carey noted that a former County Commissioner, Clarence Jones, just passed away <br />and said that an appropriate resolution will be done. <br />IV. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT -NONE <br />V. REPORTS <br />A. UPDATE OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN <br />Howard Lee made the presentation. He worked as co-chair with Betty Eidenier. He <br />reviewed the timeline and the charge of the committee and asked that the Board approve this plan as <br />presented. <br />Betty Eidenier reviewed the proposed action for County Commissioners. She hopes <br />that the County Commissioners will accept and adopt the plan with any changes they desire. <br />