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Commissioner Gordon said that also at the TAC meeting, they did get the update on the status of <br /> projects in Orange County. Karen Lincoln will be putting together reports on the TAC (hand-out with <br /> excel spreadsheet) and the status of all projects is on the NCDOT website. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that there will be a reception for the new Triangle Transit Authority <br /> General Manager John Claflen on August 26`h and all Board of County Commissioners are invited to <br /> attend part of it. No public money will be used for this reception. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis said that he has pointed out that over the years there has been a <br /> discrepancy in funding of the two school systems. Last year issues were raised about the per pupil rate <br /> because the Department of Public Instruction said that the Orange County Schools would have 40 less <br /> students. Orange County Schools actually had 151 more students. He said that you cannot judge what <br /> is happening in a school district by sitting at a computer screen in Raleigh. There was a loss of <br /> $375,000 to the Orange County Schools. A few years ago, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools <br /> suffered because of the DPI projections. He suggested that everyone write letters to Raleigh pointing <br /> out the inequities of the DPI rate. <br /> Secondly, Commissioner Halkiotis said that this Board has yielded to Raleigh and their Senator <br /> from there in order to get a stoplight for the Cedar Ridge High School intersection at Orange Grove Road <br /> in order to prevent injury and death. But the lack of sidewalks on Orange Grove Road and the lack of a <br /> pedestrian crosswalk over the bridge over 1-40 is a dangerous situation that we need to keep in front of <br /> NCDOT. We have serious safety issues for our children and he does not want anyone to get hurt. <br /> Lastly, he said that in the Orange County Schools with water restrictions being in effect, the dishwashing <br /> machines in the schools are now shut down in high and middle schools and they are using paper plates. <br /> Commissioner Halkitois said the elementary schools would be using a recycled cardboard tray <br /> (earth friendly) instead of a polystyrene tray. And none of the playing fields are being watered. Cedar <br /> Ridge did open and is a tribute to all who voted for the bonds in the County. The school is marvelous <br /> and has superior qualities with a cafeteria where adults can actually sit on the chairs. <br /> Commissioner Brown expressed her thanks and gratitude to Commissioner Halkiotis for Cedar <br /> Ridge High School because he was one that saw the need for the school years ago (bond issue). It will <br /> be used by the schools and the community. <br /> Commissioner Brown asked if the Board wrote any letters to the Governor about the Board's <br /> Nuclear Terrorism Forum on May 2"'. If not, she would like to send copies of the questions/answers with <br /> a cover letter to the Governor pointing out to him that we do not have the capabilities to protect our <br /> citizens in the case of some kind of nuclear mishap at the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant. <br /> Commissioner Brown said that the Smith Koal House (historic house on Smith Level Road) was <br /> being renovated. However, DOT gave them a permit to cut in an extra road on to Smith Level Road. <br /> There are now two driveway cuts on Smith Level Road. She asked that we contact DOT and ask them <br /> why they would permit such a ridiculous and unsafe thing. She asked that the transportation planner, <br /> Karen Lincoln, bring information back. <br /> Commissioner Brown said that she attended the Social Service Board meeting today and that <br /> many un-funded mandates may be brought to the Board of County Commissioners. She asked Nancy <br /> Coston, Director of DSS, to tell the Board of County Commissioners about these un-funded mandates-- <br /> $295,000 was cut from their budget; and she asked Nancy Coston to speak to several of these issues. <br /> DSS Director Nancy Coston said that several cuts are Medicaid costs/cuts and one is for nursing <br /> homes. In Orange County there may be 18 people who would lose their Medicaid benefits who are <br /> already in nursing homes because they have some property issue that needs to be resolved. Other cuts <br /> will be in effect but these mandates are ones that DSS is still required to do. <br /> Chair Jacobs asked that Nancy Coston keep the Board updated in writing about the programs that <br /> are being adversely affected and Commissioner Brown has asked the Social Service Board to do the <br /> same. <br /> Commissioner Brown stated that the first meeting of the Work First Committee will be Friday, <br /> August 23'' at the Southern Human Services Center and all County Commissioners are invited to attend <br /> at 8:30 a.m. <br /> Chair Jacobs congratulated Habitat for Humanity for the completion of their 100`h home in Orange <br /> County. He stated his appreciation for the opportunity to serve with them. He said that Representative <br /> Price met with the Economic Development Commission and the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber <br />