Agenda - 10-20-1998 - 2b - Laserfiche WebLink

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III. Perceived Conflicts and Dilemmas While most of the issues identified by the six citizen committees are widely - shared concerns, there are a number for which citizens have differing viewpoints depending on where they live in the County, the nature and location of their work, their economic status, age, family responsibilities, and a variety of other factors. This section contains "a starter list" of such issues. The Work Group was unable to fully delve into this area, and, therefore, recommends a committee be formed to further reflect on, identify and refine these issues. In describing these differing viewpoints as "perceived conflicts and dilemmas" this report suggests that many "conflicts" are not really conflicts at all, and that satisfactory resolutions can often be found when citizens engage in rational and civil dialogue - that is, when they listen to each other and consider solutions together. In a community as diverse as Orange County, there will always be differing opinions on many issues requiring further dialogue and debate. It is recommended that some mechanism be established that fosters this process on a continuing basis. Finding solutions to perceived conflicts and dilemmas is not only important to developing a growth strategy for Orange County, but also to building community among all of us who live here. Following is a starter list of such issues: • Debate of the environment vs. the economy • Provision of services vs. willingness to pay • Paying for farmland • Land preservation vs. development density • Rural /urban split in interests • Traditionally under- represented people in government: Rural people, people of color, latino /a people • Private property rights vs. the needs of the community • Infrastructure provision • Role of science and technology IV. Conclusion The next steps for the SOCF process are for the Task Force to create alternatives scenarios for the County's future and then, to design and hold citizen workshops to generate further discussion of issues and to develop recommendations. It is hoped that the Synthesis report will bring focus to this effort by providing a framework which connects and integrates all of the issues identified by the citizen committees. It is important to note that this report is not intended to replace those previous committee reports which will continue to be the repositories of detailed information critical to the directions and outcomes of the work of the Task Force. Rather, it sets some useful parameters for thinking about how Orange County should grow. And it also begins the important process of identifying some of the dilemmas with which the Task Force and community must come to terms if we are to generate agreed upon recommendations that will guide us toward a desirable future for all our citizens. 0