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3. Select nominees who "maintain their domicile in Orange County" <br /> 4. "Endeavor to appoint members who represent the ethnic, cultural, demographic and <br /> geographic diversity of the community" <br /> 5. Include green and environmentally innovative businesses in "core business community" <br /> category <br /> 6. Extend application deadline to seek a wider and more diverse pool of applicants for <br /> each category <br /> The list of potential appointees to a new Economic Development Advisory Board is <br /> incomplete and not representative of Orange County's wealth of diverse professionals <br /> with economic development, business, entrepreneurial, agricultural, environmental, and <br /> nonprofit expertise. PRO urges commissioners to allow sufficient time to follow an open, <br /> public process adhering to Orange County's General Policy for BOCC Advisory Boards. <br /> A more thorough, inclusive, established process will expand the county's options by <br /> drawing upon a broad spectrum of professionals residing in Orange County who have not yet <br /> had the opportunity to apply. By seeking qualified applicants in a public process consistent <br /> with the county's goals and objectives, Orange County citizens will benefit from the guidance <br /> of a strong, diverse board advising on Orange County's economic development efforts with a <br /> more comprehensive range of experience and skills. <br /> Thank you, <br /> -Laura Streitfeld <br /> Executive Director, Preserve Rural Orange <br /> Tom Schopler said that he submitted his name as a candidate to the previous advisory <br /> board before it was dissolved, and now he does not have an opportunity to participate in this <br /> newly created board. He said that the appearance of a non-transparent process is important. <br /> Will Raymond is a resident of Chapel Hill. He said that the County needs an open and <br /> transparent process to build integrity. He said that the diversity of representation and opinion <br /> needs to be increased. <br /> Chair Pelissier asked about clarification on the policy of advisory boards versus this <br /> particular policy. She said that all advisory boards still have to follow all of the policies and <br /> priorities of the Board of County Commissioners. <br /> John Roberts said that every advisory board will have its own specific policy document, <br /> or will have one before it is approved. The reason this is coming to the Board first is because <br /> this board was abolished and there is no current Economic Development Advisory Board. He <br /> said that this policy document will be the primary guiding document. The general policy <br /> document still applies. He said that the Board of County Commissioners is following the <br /> general policy in this process. There are a couple of areas in the general policy where it says <br /> that it can make changes and modifications as it sees fit. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that the Board of County Commissioners did discuss this at <br /> a work session and most times, the public and media do not attend. He said that he does <br /> agree with the statements made by the public that they object to the manner in which this is <br /> being done. He thinks that an unfair correlation has been drawn between the dysfunction of <br /> the previous Economic Development Commission and the notion that if we solicit participation <br />