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Commissioner Carey stated that this tax was not specifically aimed at the speedway. However, if the <br />County Commissioners decide to go forward, it will include the speedway because they cannot include <br />some and exclude others. <br />Quinton Baker, representing the Human Relations Commission, made reference to item #3 and said that <br />he is delighted that the County Commissioners are going to try to include the classification of sexual <br />preference as a protected class in the County's human rights ordinance . He reminded the Board that six <br />or seven years ago, through a series of public hearings, they heard many cases of discrimination from <br />gays and lesbians. He encouraged the commissioners to support this issue and he pledged the support <br />of the Human Rights Commission. <br />Diane Broughton spoke in support of item #3 and the Human Relations Commission. <br />Beth Bordeaux, a student at the UNC School of Social Work, spoke in support of item #3 including <br />lesbians and bisexuals as a protected class. She feels that this is asking for human rights for <br />everybody. <br />Jan Allen, Chair of the Democratic Party, spoke on behalf of the Orange County Democratic Party. She <br />said that they support inclusion of sexual orientation in the Orange County Human Rights Ordinance <br />prohibiting discrimination. In Section I Human Rights and Justice of the Orange County Democratic <br />Party Platform, it states that inclusion of sexual orientation prohibiting discrimination is essential. She <br />said that it is a matter of fairness and basic civil rights for lesbians and gays. <br />Senator Eleanor Kinnaird asked the County Commissioners to not wait too long to forward to them what <br />the county wants considered in this year's session of the General Assembly. <br />Mary (no last name given) said that she speaks for herself and Monroe in supporting #3. They feel that <br />discrimination is wrong and they commend the board for their effort to include sexual preference as a <br />protected class. They would like to see protection for all citizens regardless of who they love. <br />Myles Presler, Director of EmPOWERment, Inc. spoke in support of waivers for impact fees for nonprofit <br />projects. <br />Bobbie Strickland, Board of Elections Director, said that there is a lot of confusion over the <br />national vote registration regulations. The primary purpose of the Motor Voter law was to remove any <br />obstacles to registering to vote. She distributed additional information on voter registration in North <br />Carolina: Values in Conflict: Public Perception and the Law. The problem is that no verification of age <br />or identification is required in order to register to vote. <br />Commissioner Carey said that he feels that for the most part, the voter registration honor <br />system is working. He feels this should not be pursued as part of the legislative agenda. <br />Commissioner Gordon feels that it is important to encourage all citizens to register and vote <br />and make it very convenient but disagrees that the verification should be waived. She feels it is not too <br />much to ask people to identify themselves when they register to vote and that otherwise the process <br />could be open to fraud. <br />Two letters as stated below were received and are entered into the record by reference. <br />Jennifer Miller wrote in support of item #1 to impose an impact tax, rather than the current impact <br />fee. for educational facilities.