Agenda - 01-22-2015 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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I approve the Resolution of Commendation for Commissioner Alice M. Gordon. 2 3 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 4 Commissioner Gordon thanked everyone for the resolution of commendation and photo 5 of the Board of County Commissioners. She said the most significant thing that she wanted to 6 say is thank you to all of the people she has worked with over the past 24 years: the Board of 7 County Commissioners, the Orange County staff, her colleagues in government and public 8 education, the residents of Orange County who elected her, and her family who supported her 9 and encouraged her. 10 Commissioner Gordon said her contributions and passion have been in the areas of 11 education and the environment, which also includes transportation. In the area of education, 12 she said she has always had an interest in excellent schools, and her most enduring legacy will 13 be the new science wing at Culbreth Middle School and the Schools Adequate Public Facilities 14 Ordinance (SAPFO) to plan for growth and new schools. She hopes that the Board of County 15 Commissioners will fund a program to renovate all of the older schools in both school systems. 16 She said in the area of the environment, she has always had an interest in 17 environmental protection and environmental stewardship. She believes that environmental 18 protection is an important and separate function of county government. She said her most 19 enduring legacy will be the Lands Legacy Program and the Department of Environment, 20 Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR). Through the Lands Legacy Program, the County 21 has protected more than 3000 acres of its most precious natural and cultural resources. 22 Generations of Orange County residents from all walks of life will be able to enjoy the parks and 23 open space. She hopes that the Lands Legacy Program will continue and that the parks and 24 other programs that are planned will be completed. 25 Commissioner Gordon said she is concerned about global climate change, and she 26 hopes the County will continue its efforts to do everything possible to address this challenge and 27 prepare for the future climate change events that are sure to come. She said that global climate 28 change is not only the greatest environmental issue, but also the greatest issue that is facing 29 Orange County, the United States, and the world. She said it is important to think globally and 30 act locally to address climate change. 31 Commissioner Gordon concluded by thanking the people of Orange County, including 32 the Board of County Commissioners, Orange County staff, the advisory boards and 33 commissions, all of her colleagues throughout the County, the residents of Orange County who 34 have elected her all these years, and her family. She thanked everyone for a marvelous 24 35 years. 36 Commissioner Gordon was given a standing ovation when she received the resolution of 37 commendation and also when she concluded her remarks. 38 39 40 Resolution Recoanizina Oranae Countv Reaister of Deeds Deborah Brooks 41 Commissioner McKee read the following resolution: 42 43 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 44 RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING ORANGE COUNTY