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Center to request assistance. They need to continue to work on upgrading the existing <br />communication capabilities. On the evacuation procedures, they would have a problem <br />evacuating the mass amount of people necessary if there were an emergency at the Shearran <br />Harris Nuclear Plant. On area evacuations, it may be easier, such as hazardous material leaks, <br />etc. They will be looking at these issues. It would be very difficult to evacuate all of Orange <br />County. Regarding communication with elected officials, his plan is to have personnel come to <br />each County Commissioners' home with a radio and provide information on how it would work <br />and how to contact other County Commissioners. This is a medium stopgap method at this <br />time. <br />Chair Carey said that the Board would appreciate the development of a better plan. He <br />thinks that this recent catastrophe will cause many governments to look at their emergency <br />plans. He shares the other County Commissioners' views to reassess the plan. <br />Chair Carey made reference to the memo from the Manager an hiring delays to save <br />money, etc. There are also staff going to Louisiana and Mississippi to help and he suggested <br />that if staff were needed on a temporary basis so that departments are not adversely affected by <br />the staff going, then it would be all right with the Board on an absolute necessary basis. <br />John Link agreed about revisiting the emergency plan. He suggested having a work <br />session discussion very soon, before the hurricane season ends. <br />Jack Ball said that they did prepare a presentation, and they will save it for the work <br />session. <br />John Link introduced Steve Averitt, Land Records GIS Director. He came from Gaston <br />County where he built a GIS system from the ground up and it is one of the most respected <br />systems in that area. <br />town. <br />Chair Carey said that Commissioner Faushee is not here tonight because she is out of <br />3. Board Comments <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that the Transfer of Development Rights workgroup met <br />once last week and is going to try and finish its work by early next year. It was a very lively <br />group with different levels of understanding of TDR. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that the Human Services Advisory Commission Forum is <br />September 14th at the United Church of Christ and it is dealing with homelessness in Orange <br />County. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that, to follow up with the disaster on the Gulf Coast, we are <br />coming upon the anniversary of 9111, which conjures up a lot of sadness and anger. He said <br />that there is no one that he has spoken with recently who is not affected by this hurricane <br />disaster and who does not feel tremendous empathy for the victims. One of the things that <br />saddened and angered him was that many people could not evacuate because they had no <br />transportation or no place to go. He wants to make sure that part of Orange County's <br />evacuation plan is to provide public transportation to evacuees. As gas prices go up, public <br />transportation becomes more important. He thinks the County should set an example of <br />conservation. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he asked the school systems if they are identifying <br />surplus materials to share with school systems in Louisiana and other Gulf states. He wants to <br />share as many resources as possible with those affected by Hurricane Katrina. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that the other thing that struck him is the continued <br />degradation of the environment. He said that there would be a lot of blame leveled at officials <br />because of this disaster. He said that when you build a presidential administration on lies and <br />