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3 <br />Commissioner Brown wants a detailed report on how the funding of nonprofits has changed since the <br />consolidation of United Way. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis mentioned a fundraising event sponsored by Ray Motors for MADD on <br />November 26. <br />Commissioner Gordon reported that the Triangle Transit Authority approved a tax which will finance <br />the activities of phase one of the regional rail system. Commissioner Brown and Chair Crowther also <br />attended the TTA Tax Board meeting and approved additional fundraising efforts. <br />4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT <br />John Link reported that the 1997 United Way campaign for Orange County employees reached a <br />milestone of $20,000 which is an increase of $1600 from last year. The number of contributors increased <br />by 31 %. <br />5. RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS <br />ADD A. RESOLUTION REGARDING THE USE OF PLUTONIUM <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to <br />approve the resolution as stated below: <br />RESOLUTION REGARDING THE USE OF PLUTONIUM <br />WHEREAS, the Orange County Peace Coalition has brought to the attention of Orange County Board of <br />Commissioners concerns of NASA's Cassini Space Probe carrying 72.3 pounds of plutonium-238 to <br />supply power to the instruments on board; and <br />WHEREAS, plutonium is one of the most toxic chemicals known; and <br />WHEREAS, there have been previous mishaps from rocket launchings, orbiting missiles and returns to <br />earth; and <br />WHEREAS, the Cassini flying in 1999 from Venus to Earth to gain velocity to pass Jupiter enroute to Saturn <br />remains a risk; and <br />WHEREAS, future missions are scheduled to continue to use plutonium as a power source. <br />NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Orange County Board of Commissioners hereby resolve to join <br />scientists and other citizens who want these space missions carrying plutonium to discontinue until <br />other sources of energy are used; and <br />BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners appeal to the President <br />and North Carolina's congressional delegation to postpone these planned space missions using <br />plutonium until an alternate, safer technology is developed. <br />VOTE: AYES, 4; NOS, 1 (Chair Crowther) <br />Chair Crowther voted against this resolution because he does not have a full understanding from <br />NASA in terms of security issues. Also, there were several groups which supported this resolution. <br />However, the Democratic party did not endorse this resolution. <br />6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS -NONE <br />7. PUBLIC HEARINGS -NONE <br />