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APPROVED 1212196 <br />MINUTES <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />REGULAR MEETING <br />NOVEMBER 19, 1996 <br />The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, November 19, 1996 <br />at 7:30 p.m. at the OWASA Community Meeting Room in Carrboro, North Carolina. <br />COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr., Vice-Chair Stephen H. Halkiotis <br />and Commissioners William L. Crowther, Alice M. Gordon and Don Willhoit. <br />COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill <br />COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Managers Albert <br />Kittrell and Rod Visser, and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (all other staff will be identified as <br />appropriate) <br />1. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA <br />Chair Carey added to the agenda a proclamation to proclaim December 8, 1996 as Rev. John R. <br />Manley day in Orange County. <br />2. AUDIENCE COMMENTS <br />A. MATTERS ON THE PRINTED AGENDA <br />Chair Carey said that citizens who have indicated a desire to speak on an item will be <br />recognized at the appropriate time. <br />B. MATTERS NOT ON THE PRINTED AGENDA <br />Don Belk, the events coordinator for the Carolina Tarwheels Bicycle Club, gave a report on <br />the bicycle tour that was held on August 10, 1996. Over 300 bicyclists from across the state participated in <br />this rural heritage tour. The event was sponsored by a $1,000 grant from the Tourism Board. The event was <br />so successful that they returned this grant. Far beyond this grant were the wonderful impressions and <br />delightful experiences that were shared by the bicyclists as they witnessed the beauty of rural Orange. He <br />noted that bicycling is important to the County's economy. There are three bicycle shops in the County. <br />Bicycling is a very important factor in County tourism and has a lot of potential. Speaking on behalf of the <br />Carolina Tarwheels, he thanked the County Commissioners for their efforts in bicycle planning and for their <br />continued support for the County's mapping and signage project which is in the Transportation Improvement <br />Plan slated for completion in 1998 . The second annual bicycle tour will take place on August 9, 1997. Lori <br />Shapiro, Program Director, presented tee-shirts to the County Commissioners and others. <br />PUBLIC CHARGE <br />The Chair dispensed with the reading of the public charge. <br />3. BOARD COMMENTS <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to the 14 year old boy who voted in Durham County in the <br />last election. This situation was possible because no documentation is required when citizens register to <br />vote. She asked staff to make suggestions on what needs to be done with election requirements at the state <br />or local level to be sure that in the future only properly registered citizens vote, and also on what role the <br />Commissioners might play in facilitating change. John Link agreed to bring suggestions to the Board at a <br />later date. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that the manager will be receiving a letter from the manager in Chapel <br />Hill about the need for a pistol range so that law enforcement officers can meet their yearly requirements. He <br />also read that the Orange County law enforcement officers are going to Alamance County to meet their <br />annual requirements. He recalls that there was a proposal in the rural education center for a firing range. He <br />emphasized that this is a need for this County and suggested looking for a facility to help all law enforcement <br />people in this County. Commissioner Halkiotis also commented that he was glad the 14 year old did not vote