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C <br />Page 2 of 3 Kim Piracci <br />I find that my personal values are usually in lockstep with Orange County s. Even though some <br />community practices are counter intuitive regarding long term growth, for example, public <br />transportation versus more roads and parking spaces, Orange County usually gets it right. I <br />spent my first 17 years in Orange County living is Southern Village. This past summer, with our <br />children grown, we moved to a smaller house in the county. Adjacent to and wandering in our <br />property is a little creek that empties into the Eno River. I find that I have become more <br />interested in our fresh water sources and protecting the watersheds. <br />Conflict of Interest: <br />Supplemental Questions: <br />Orange County Planning Board (REQUIRES DISCLOSURE STATEMENT) <br />Please list the work /volunteer experience /qualifications that would add to your expertise <br />for this board. <br />Kim Piracci, GG Jewelry Appraiser, Owner, Graduate Gemologist and Certified Senior <br />Appraiser, planned, implemented and built small business in Chapel Hill. <br />Charter President of Speak Up! Toastmasters in Chapel Hill, planned, implemented and worked <br />together with a diverse group of people to found a new group for Chapel Hill and surrounding <br />areas. <br />Last year I helped to start and am now the Treasurer for a Chapel Hill Questers group. Questers <br />is an international organization with a mission to preserve and restore local landmarks. There is <br />a new group starting in Hillsborough as well and I plan to be part of that effort. <br />It seems that I often find myself in leadership positions, beginning in elementary school and <br />through college, often being elected to student government positions. I like to see people <br />working together toward improvements. <br />What unique perspective can you bring to the Orange County Planning Board? <br />I lived in Chapel Hill, actually Southern Village, for seventeen years. Our children came of age <br />here, utilizing the library, public transportation, parks and other amenities here. I appreciate the <br />contribution these facilities make to the quality of life here. <br />I now live in the county and welcome the wild spaces, trails and watershed areas and recognize <br />the importance of them for the benefit of people that live in Orange County. <br />I am a business owner and know that it can be a difficult place to open a business in. I also <br />appreciate that these difficulties protect the county and people that live here, and make it a <br />terrific place to live. An appropriate balance is obviously what we all would like and what I would <br />like to participate in. <br />What do you see as the responsibilities of this board, and what do you hope to <br />accomplish if appointed? <br />Broadly speaking, the Planning Board would make sure that Orange County has a wonderful <br />future. More specifically, the Board addresses land use, public transportation and other issues <br />affecting the county. As I understand it from the website, the board researches Orange County, <br />decides on appropriate objectives, develops policies and proposes them to the Board of County <br />Commissioners. <br />I personally, would like to work on protecting our natural environment. <br />What do you consider to be be the most important issues facing Orange County related <br />to growth? <br />To quote a famous politician from the last century, It s the economy, stupid. <br />Obviously we need to have steady economic growth. How can we protect our citizenry, and the <br />environment as our universities and businesses grow? What infrastructure do we need to build <br />