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what needs are addressed is a role for community/government collaboration but the <br /> final decision and responsibility for action rests with the Board of Commissioners in <br /> conjunction with municipal cooperation. Moving forward will bring some closure to <br /> many long standing issues (besides just the landfill). It will not resolve or address all <br /> community concerns or desired outcomes. Those goals will require ongoing efforts and <br /> commitments among all of those with a vested interested in Orange County's future. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> Stan Cheran read a prepared statement. <br /> "Good evening. I'm Stan Cheren — and tonight I am speaking for RENA/CEER, Orange <br /> County Voice, and Justice United. <br /> Thank you for opening the door to committed action to mitigate the impact of the landfill <br /> and other solid waste operations on the Rogers Road Community. As you know, this has been <br /> a long time coming and there have been many false starts along the way. <br /> Our organizations are committed to working with you and the county to finally make this <br /> right for an important and patient Orange County community. <br /> We realize that the County is anxious to get your approval to extend the life of the <br /> landfill. However, we hope you will agree that just a little more work is needed for us all to be <br /> comfortable that there's a tangible plan in place. <br /> Let me recap what's been happening: <br /> o RENA has been working with Orange County Voice, Justice United and UNC to <br /> draft a mitigation plan that lists the priorities for the community. It's a composite <br /> of what's been discussed through the years — and it's limited to actions within <br /> the purview of the County. Minister Campbell and David Caldwell will walk you <br /> through a draft tonight. <br /> Dr. Fikes and Tom Konsler are working with us to update the list of homes that we <br /> believe are eligible for water and sewer hookups and OWASA is estimating the costs. Of <br /> course we can't speak for OWASA, but we expect that work to be completed in a couple of <br /> weeks. <br /> We have asked Mr. Dorosin, acting as counsel to the Rogers Road Community, to <br /> consider options to assure that the county and the citizens of Orange County can make a <br /> binding commitment to the community—that transcends boards and priorities. <br /> We are prepared to show you the illegal dumpsites — so that you can develop a <br /> cleanup plan, but we are waiting for the county to indemnify the residents. <br /> Once all this is done —which should take another month or so —you will have the full <br /> picture of what we believe is needed to mitigate the impact of the landfill and solid waste <br /> operations on the Rogers Road Community. <br /> Now let me ask Dr. Heaney to conclude this overview." <br /> Chris Heaney read a prepared statement: <br /> "I'm Chris Heaney, a partner of the Rogers-Eubanks Neighborhood Association. I'm <br /> also an epidemiologist at the UNC School of Public Health. As you know, I've been working in <br /> partnership with the Rogers Road Community since 2007 — and like the others, am <br /> encouraged by your Board's commitment to finally make things right for this community. <br /> We have reviewed the present County report. And although, we don't meant to be <br /> dismissive of the idea of another task force, you know that over the past 39 years, there have <br /> been at least 4 task forces, several scientific studies —three of which I've led and been a <br />