Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Chair Pelissier made note of the time and said that she would cut off public comments <br /> at 11:25. She said that any other members of the public that wish to make comments may <br /> submit them in writing. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> Martha Keating read a prepared statement: <br /> - I am representing all homes who share a border with OWASA land on Thunder <br /> Mountain <br /> o Art and Martha Keating, 7508 Thunder Mountain <br /> o Harry Nelson, 7401 Thunder Mountain <br /> o Travis and Prity Kukovich, 7113 Thunder Mountain <br /> o Alex and Anne Gordon, 7101 Thunder Mountain <br /> o Greg and Linda Smith, 6701 Thunder Mountain <br /> - We are the only residents on Thunder Mountain that share property borders with <br /> OWASA <br /> - We do not represent the entire Thunder Mountain Community <br /> - Our 5 households do not oppose the MTS and embrace the potential of having <br /> public access to beautiful land that we have been fortunate enough to live near for <br /> many years <br /> - Our support for this proposed section of the MTS is contingent upon: <br /> o The location of the trail being placed on the agreed upon alternate routes <br /> (farthest from the houses) by the residents closest to the MTS. <br /> o MTS being used as a footpath hike-through section (no bicycles, motorized <br /> vehicles, horses, etc.) <br /> o MTS being open from dawn until dusk, with no overnight camping or fires <br /> permitted <br /> o The county being able to provide a suitable location for parking at posted <br /> access points to divert anyone from parking or accessing the MTS from Thunder <br /> Mountain <br /> o OWASA's commitment to preserve the scenic beauty of this land such that it is <br /> not subjected to timbering <br /> - Done properly, we believe this segment of the MTS would have no significant adverse <br /> impact to the water quality of the Cane Creek Reservoir <br /> - We believe this is a rare opportunity for the residents of this area of Orange County to <br /> work together to be part of a positive legacy for generations to come. <br /> Joe Boyle said that there are supporters and those in opposition to this trail. He wants <br /> to learn about this issue. He said that there did not seem to be a market for this trail. He <br /> would like to know the original motive for this MTST. <br /> Audrey Booth read a prepared statement. <br /> "I am Audrey Booth. It is my pleasure to address the Orange County Commissioners in <br /> order to bring a ringing endorsement of the Mountains to Sea Trail and for the local link that we <br /> may offer to make it as seamless as possible. <br /> We, in the Piedmont, are fortunate to be the beneficiaries of the vision of Western NC <br /> environmentalists and decades of fund raising and sweat equity. <br /> It is the "Trickle Across NC Theory." We have an opportunity to help "pay it forward" <br /> with our region's public and scenic land to extend the trail. The Falls Lake trail and bridges, <br /> already paid for and built, await the link from Cane Creek. <br />