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large method of election, increasing the County Commissioner from five to seven, with five <br />elected from districts and two elected at-large. The County Commissioners did nothing with <br />regard to this proposal. Four years later, the matter came up again by Commissioner Carey, <br />who said, "a plan to provide district representation would increase the probability that citizens <br />who live in the rural areas will have a reasonable chance of being elected." In response to this, <br />the County Commissioners did nothing. Six years later, the issue was brought up again by <br />Commissioner Carey, who proposed expanding the Board to seven members and having district <br />elections. It was defeated by the Board 3-2. Nine years later, it came up again, this time in the <br />Shaping Orange County's Future Task Force Report. This said that, far many rural residents <br />who have spoken to the task force, the issue of district representation is the primary issue they <br />feel needs to be addressed. The group recommended a very short-term task force appointed, <br />which would consider expanding the seats of the County Commissioners and having the <br />election of County Commissioners from districts. Still, nothing happened and the County <br />Commissioners did not give a voice to the rural or small town portion of the County. This past <br />year, in January, 1,40Q citizens of the County signed petitions asking that the Board consider <br />district representation and expanding the County Commissioners. It was sent to staff to be <br />investigated. He filed a bill in the General Assembly after about two months, trying to give the <br />County residents that which the County Commissioners would not give them. He said that this <br />was simply a chance to vote on the question of whether to expand the Board from five to seven <br />and to have some of the County Commissioners elected from districts that would allow the rural <br />and small town portion of the County to elect to the Board someone to represent them. He said <br />that he has attended the public hearings regarding this issue and everyone who came to speak <br />supported the proposition of electing people from districts. He said that they would like for the <br />County Commissioners to put on the ballot in November a referendum on the following <br />question: Will they expand the County Commissioner Board from five to seven, with four of <br />them elected from the Chapel Hill Township, with one elected from the Hillsborough/Eno <br />TownshiplEfland precinct, one elected from the rest of the County, and one elected at-large. He <br />said that Proposal 5 was a change without a difference and does absolutely nothing. He said <br />that far 13'/ years, residents of northern Orange County have been coming to the Board of <br />County Commissioners saying they need a change and the ability to elect County <br />Commissioners from districts. He asked the County Commissioners to revise their plan or else <br />they will have to go back to the General Assembly. He said that, for the fourth time in 14 years, <br />they are seeking to have representation. <br />Margaret Wood Connell represented the Hillsborough-Orange County Chamber of <br />Commerce Board of Directors and it's Governmental Affairs Committee. She said that the <br />Board of Directors and Governmental Affairs Committee commends the Board of County <br />Commissioners for their efforts to address the public's request for representation by district. <br />They feel that the BOCC's response is a step in the right direction. The board and the <br />committee are of the opinion that Proposal 5 does not ensure equal or adequate representation <br />for all of the citizens of Orange County. Further, the board has concerns that afive-member <br />Board, elected by all Orange County citizens and representing two districts will not allow far <br />enough diversity of representation. The Board of Directors encourages the Board of County <br />Commissioners to further investigate the viability of Proposal 3, aseven-member Board <br />representing three districts as the most effective method to ensure equal representation. <br />Bob Nutter is a dairy farmer and lives in Bingham Township. He said that the proposal <br />does not meet the intent of the rural people that are asking for district representation. He wants <br />to increase the County Commissioners to seven based on the population growth. <br />Jean Earnhardt said that there is lack of representation for a significant number of <br />people who live in the County. She is disappointed in Proposal 5 because she does not see <br />haw this can guarantee rural representation. She thinks that rural representation needs to be <br />guaranteed. <br />