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Gayanne Chambless asked that the Board not delay on this merger issue because they have <br />waited for 20 years and things have not gotten better. As a parent, she sees what her son could have and <br />what he is not getting. Her son is in private school, but they wanted to put him in the public schools. She <br />said that there are children in the Orange County system that do not have the option of going elsewhere for <br />a better education. It becomes a socioeconomic situation. She said that it was not just about money. She <br />quoted Commissioner Gordon as saying that the CHCCS district tax was raised in order to help fund the <br />opening of a couple of the new schools in the district. She said that an the books there are seven new <br />schools in this district, about $99 million that OCS does not get to use. She does not want to pay for <br />something that she cannot use. She said that the merger would solve this problem and we would not need <br />to open new schools in the next ten years based on the projected growth rates. It is more than money; it is <br />about the kids and what they are not getting. She said that as long as the district tax is in place, things <br />would never be equal. She implored the County Commissioners to not delay on this decision. <br />b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br />{These matters were considered when the Board addressed that item on the agenda below.} <br />3. BOARD COMMENTS <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he was talking to the Sheriff about the County doing something <br />that they have not done in about 12 years. The Sheriff has a computer printout of his vehicles. Some of the <br />patrol vehicles have in excess of 200,000 miles on them. He distributed the sheets with the mileage of <br />these vehicles. These cars are our first responders and this needs to be kept in mind. <br />Cammissianer Halkiotis reported that the flashing light is going in at Lawrence Road. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that there was a first big major accident in front of the new Wal-Mart <br />recently. He asked the Manager, the Sheriff, and EMS Director Nick Waters to keep the Board posted on <br />any major accidents in this area. He thinks someone needs to communicate with DOT and the Town to try <br />and prevent accidents in this area and not promote them. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he almost ran into a private waste truck on 70-A. Republic Waste <br />was the name on the truck. There were no flashing lights on the truck when they stopped. He said that <br />there needs to be a flashing yellow light on these types of trucks. <br />Cammissianer Halkiotis said that some of the County Commissioners have not been home one night <br />this week. He said that they are being bombarded with hundreds of emails regarding school merger and <br />the animal shelter. He said that his computer couldn't handle all of the emails. He asked Eliot Cramer to <br />stop sending him so many emails. He likes old-fashioned letters and he wants the citizens to understand <br />that they are being confronted with merger and animal issues. <br />Commissioner Gordon seconded Commissioner Halkiotis' remarks. Commissioner Gordon said that <br />she was having problems with her email. She said that she could always be reached through the Clerk to <br />the Commissioners. <br />Cammissianer Gordan said that she got a letter from Sharon Caak about traffic safety in front of <br />Chapel Hill High School. She referred this to the Manager about the best way to handle these proposed <br />improvements and enforcement. <br />Commissioner Gordon reported that the landfill would be open Saturday from 12-4 for storm debris. <br />She asked that information be posted on the website about DOT possibly picking up debris. <br />Commissioner Gordon reported that Triangle J COG's new office is at 4307 Emperor Boulevard. <br />Burt Matthews is the new Chair, the first Vice-Chair is Frances Dancy, the second Vice-Chair is Thomas <br />Stith, and the Secretary/Treasurer is Marla Durrell. The committees were also announced. Commissioner <br />Jacobs is on two committees -Regional Legislative Agenda Committee and Air Quality Committee. <br />Commissioner Gordon is on the Smart Growth Committee. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that there was a report on the Triangle Transit Consolidation <br />implementation program. The idea is to have various levels of bus consolidations. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that the Triangle Transit Authority had elected officers. William Smith is <br />the Chair, but Ann Franklin will continue on for a couple of months. Carter Worthy has moved to Vice-Chair, <br />Commissioner Gordon moved up from Treasurer to Secretary, and Lewis Hannah has became the <br />Treasurer. She also moved from Chair of the Operations and Finance Committee to Chair of the Planning <br />