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•.a~~' <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Hartwell, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis, <br />that based an the fact that the Orange County Board of Commissioners have examined the .--•-.~, <br />facts presented by the airport planning consultants and the public related to a proposed <br />new county general aviation airport, they have determined that there is no site in <br />Orange County which is suitable for a new airport. The Board is further convinced that <br />the goals of economic development and diversification of the tax base in Orange County <br />can be achieved by means other than an airport. The Board is eager to involve the <br />public in a partnership to develop these alternatives. <br />Commissioner Willhoit stated that the purpose of a Public Hearing needs to be <br />advertised. The Public Hearings on May 24 and May 25 were advertised for discussion on <br />the proposed airport. The substance of this motion will preclude a meaningful <br />consideration of the matter that was to go to public hearing. <br />Commissioner Hartwell indicated that he had met with citizens on this issue and <br />tried to get past the positions held by individual citizens which were to the interests <br />of the individuals. He discovered that the interests, in terms of what kind of place <br />did they want to.live in, what kind of job opportunities they want to have, how they <br />want to fund schools, what did they want to do about trash, was vary much in common with <br />his own interests. He wants to push aside the positions and get to the common <br />interests. <br />Commissioner Willhoit stated that a meaningful public debate will be precluded by a <br />vote to stop the airport process at -this time. <br />Commissioner Marshall stated that she believes that some people will feel left out <br />of the process by a vase against the airport. She indicated that she had tried not to <br />influence anyone last Monday night but had just voted and shared her reasons why. It is <br />quite evident that there are at least four members of this Board who have gathered <br />enough information that they do not think there is a suitable site. She stated that she <br />would love to hear the public debate that Commissioner Willhoit is talking about but <br />questioned whether that would happen at a hearing that is held by a Hearing Officer. <br />There is the Rural Character Study and there will be Public Hearings held. All these <br />people are needed to make positive statements about what they want in Orange.County and <br />how they will help make a better life. Living is getting too unaffordable and it is <br />going to get worse if people are not educated about needs and there are not different <br />jabs. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis called the question. <br />VOTE: AYES - 4 NOES - 1 (Commissioner Willhoit) <br />Ab.70URNMENT <br />With no further items for consideration, Chairman Carey adjourned this Special <br />Meeting. <br />Moses Carey, Jr., Chair <br />Beverly Blythe, Clerk <br />