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though the proposals reduce the income tax rate, the proposals increase the number of items taxed and <br /> add many services that the sales tax applies to. This means many NC residents will be double taxed <br /> (sales and income) on most income they earn and the money we spend on most of the goods and <br /> services we purchase to live. The implementation of these proposals maps to a huge potential increase <br /> in total individual state taxes paid and consequently an increase in the cost of living to our demographic <br /> (seniors on a fixed income), as well as other demographics. <br /> You have done a marvelous job in holding the line on property tax increase in the last few cycles; <br /> but we all still have to tighten our belts in this down economy. I believe it is prudent for Orange County to <br /> tighten its belt and not increase property tax rates. <br /> Thanks for listening. <br /> Dave and Becky Laudicina <br /> Bingham Township <br /> Orange County, NC <br /> Don O'Leary referenced a secret meeting in England regarding how to crash the dollar and hand <br /> the new world order over to China. He referenced CFR and said most Congressmen and Senators are <br /> members. He said the job of the Commissioners is to uphold the constitution of the United States. He <br /> said he would like ICLEI out of Orange County for good. <br /> V. Lynette Tempest noted that fire departments are exempt from community notification on siting. <br /> She said the curve on which the station is planned has been implicated in two accidents. She said near <br /> her home is a narrow bridge sign indicating a bridge over a creek that is part of the University Lake <br /> watershed. She said it does not make sense to build a station here and increase road hazards. She <br /> noted that this is sloped and un-cleared land. She feels further investigation would reveal that there is <br /> someone who will benefit from the sale of this land. She feels this plan must be thoroughly analyzed and <br /> re-considered. <br /> Thomas Stone is a resident where the proposed station is to be built. He said there are 16 homes <br /> in a very congested area. He said this station would affect his well, and it would likely be necessary to drill <br /> many wells to get the water needed for a fire station. He said there is property on Ferguson Road that <br /> would be more appropriate. He noted the dangers of large trucks using the narrow roads in this area. He <br /> feels the plan needs further investigation. <br /> Chris Russell said he objected to the process of siting the fire station on Neville Road, and he is <br /> formally petitioning the Board of County Commissioners to place this on the next agenda and to suspend <br /> all site meetings until this meeting takes place. He said that meaningful public input is needed. He said <br /> that the broad powers of exemption for ordinances are being misused and are not in keeping with the <br /> intention of being used as a last resort option to facilitate public safety needs. He said that there are other <br /> sites that will improve response times without adverse effects to residential areas. He asked the <br /> commission to slow this process down. <br /> Sam Gharbo asked the board to petition to state to inform them that the citizens of Orange County <br /> disagree with the funding policy for K-3 teacher assistants. He said there have been hundreds of people <br /> who have pleaded for funding for these assistants. He said that it is unnecessary to tax people more, <br /> because the county already has the funding for the schools. He said that if the money is allocated and <br /> projects prioritized correctly, this money could be used to work on the people who live in this county- kids <br /> and teachers. He said that the backbone of the community is education. <br /> Frank Donald said he is here to file a complaint about mismanagement of a grant from the health <br /> department through the Fairview Garden. He said he was hired as a carpenter for the garden, and he did <br /> the work requested. He said someone came after him and charged the same price for the work that he <br /> had done. He said he was told the timesheets were confidential. He would like his case to be handled <br /> openly by the Board of County Commissioners. He said he will give a detailed email to the clerk on this <br /> matter and an audit may be addressed for those three months specifically. <br /> Chair Jacobs said they would refer all petitions to the agenda review committee. <br /> Andy Burwell asked if the Board of County Commissioners would like a fire station next to their <br /> house. <br />