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<br />centralized approach to husbandry of water resources in the County. She said that a threat to <br />the ground and surface water is growing through increasing development. She said that the <br />Board of Health believes that it is the ultimate responsibility of the Health Department to <br />promote and ensure water quality in Orange County, that water quality and public health go <br />hand in hand, and that the Health Department has demonstrated its commitment to four critical <br />areas of focus: education, monitoring, risk assessment, and data collection and management. <br />She explained each of these focus areas. She said that centralization and the day to day <br />coordination of these four areas with clear accountability are critical and will support the <br />development of good public policy. She hopes that the County Commissioners will support the <br />position of Water Quality Specialist within the Health Department to assume this role. <br />Sandra Peterson is President of the Friends of the Orange County Public Library and <br />she said that many different people utilize the library system. She said that this year they are <br />focused on a goal of a new library. They are asking the County Commissioners to observe that <br />the future is now and that they can no longer afford the luxury of further delay. The time for a <br />larger central library is now. <br />Keith Cook said that he is here to speak on the proposed tax increase and that he is <br />representing the silent majority. He said that there are homeowners that do not want the tax <br />increase and they can not afford it. He said that they need a reality check and in Orange <br />County not everyone is equal in resources. He said that these families want good schools just <br />as much as those that asked for a tax increase. He said that more money in schools has not <br />necessarily been a benefit. He said that they need to be mindful of the difference in the <br />economic status of many of the citizens. The Town of Hillsborough has the highest percentage <br />of non-high school grads in the County and vicinity. Also, the percentage of the free and <br />reduced lunch program in OCS is 31 °~ compared to CHCCS, which is 12%. The citizens <br />cannot afford the tax hike. He is asking for tax relief for all because all costs are going high like <br />fuel. He said that these families ask the Board to find other ways to fund. He said that there <br />has to a balance and it is important that all get a reality check on what and who is around them. <br />He asked the County Commissioners to please remember when people ask to have their taxes <br />raised, that many cannot afford it. <br />Elaine Parker spoke on taxes. She said that in northern Orange County, there are many <br />widows left with farms and she asked the Board of Commissioners to take this into <br />consideration when they are doing the budget. She said that the farmer does not have anything <br />to replace the money from tobacco. These are the citizens that have been here from the <br />beginning and many are aging and too old to get a job but not old enough to retire. She said <br />that exceptions should be made far one income families and if they lose their homes, they have <br />nowhere to go. The County Commissioners need to take a long look at the original citizens that <br />have been here far generations. She said that she knows that education is important, but we <br />need to take care of our citizens. <br />Billy Poole said that he has the same plea about property taxes. He was born and <br />raised here on a farm and his father is still here, and farmers are having a hard time maintaining <br />their property. He is here to ask the County Commissioners to reconsider the tax increase and <br />to help the farmers. <br />Barry Hicks spoke about water in the northern part of the County. He said that it seems <br />like they are selling out the northwestern part of the County because the development is <br />increasing in this area. He said that they are beginning to form a coalition for safe water. He <br />said that he was disappointed that the Board of County Commissioners was involved in a <br />discussion about selling Hillsborough's water and sewer to Durham. He said that this seems <br />contradictory to sell the infrastructure without looking at the resources available. He said that <br />Seven Mile Creek and Jordan Lake are good resources to look at. He said that for Orange <br />County to even think about participating in selling infrastructure is beyond him. He said that part <br />of the Planning Board is considering having a moratorium on construction. He said that they will <br />