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that improving relationships and building community among Orange County citizens is a critical <br />priority. <br />Bernadette Pelissier made the presentation for "Inter local and Regional Cooperation and <br />Planning", "Land Use Patterns that Meet People's Needs while Protecting Natural Resources", and <br />"Conserve Natural Areas, Farmland and Other Important Open Space" from the task force <br />provisional report and recommendations. She said that much of the SOCF vision and <br />recommendations rests on the necessity and capability of local governing boards and their staffs <br />working together. <br />Carl Shy made the presentation for "Environmentally Sustainable Transportation Systems <br />that Meet People's Needs" and "Water Supply Protection, Pollution Prevention, and Waste <br />Reduction" from the task force provisional report and recommendations. He pointed out a slide <br />showing a projection of the increase in traffic over the next 30 years. If the trend continues, the <br />traffic will increase by 2.5 over the next 30 years in Orange County. Transportation issues in <br />Orange County revolve around atwo-pronged axis: air quality and traffic. The recommendations of <br />the task force are an effort to reduce traffic and improve air quality. <br />Rachel Phelps-Hawkins made the presentation for "State of the County's Economy" from the <br />task farce provisional report and recommendations. She said that Orange County's unemployment <br />rate was the lowest in the state. <br />Marty Mandell read "Supporting a Diverse Economy that Meets Local Needs" from the task <br />farce provisional report and recommendations. <br />Peggy Pollitzer made the presentation for "Affordable Housing" and "Human Services <br />Priorities" from the task for provisional report and recommendations. Local housing affordability <br />and quality, and housing policies that can help all citizens obtain these necessities, are crucial to <br />Orange County's quality of life and to its economy. <br />Ellen Ironside made the presentation for "K-12 Education" and "Citizen's Roundtable" from <br />the task force provisional report and recommendations. She said that Orange county residents <br />clearly expect the best in K-12 education and that Orange County is home to some of the most <br />outstanding schools in the state. She made reference to the Citizen's Roundtable and explained <br />the purpose. <br />Andy Sachs said that this concluded the formal presentation and he asked citizens to come <br />up and speak or, if uncomfortable to speak, to write out any questions. <br />3. Citizens Comments <br />David Bolatin said that he was a relative newcomer to the state and would like someone to <br />explain how, in the light of wonderful economic conditions, that the state and local governments <br />are under funded. He made reference to sustainable agriculture and organic farming and said that <br />this could feed vast numbers of people with local produce. <br />Andy Sachs summarized Mr. Bolotin's comments. There was no response to government <br />reform by the task force members. <br />Marty Mandell responded to Mr. Bolatin's comments about sustainable agriculture. <br />Jeff Schmit from Cedar Grove Township thanked the Board of County Commissioners for <br />convening the Shaping Orange County's Future task force. He spoke about the election of County <br />Commissioners and said that he is in favor of district representation. He said that 57 of 100 <br />counties in North Carolina have other than at-large representation for electing County <br />Commissioners. <br />