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think about this. Lots of governments use the arts as an economic development engine. He is <br /> not interested in disbanding the department, but he would like to look at alternatives. The <br /> Visitors Bureau could nurture the arts and this is an alternative worth looking at. <br /> Chair Foushee said that this was going to be her suggestion too regarding the Visitors <br /> Bureau. She agrees that the arts do affect economic development. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that the Visitors Bureau has discussed this with interest; but <br /> to turn the Arts Commission loose as a non-profit would be difficult. The Board of County <br /> Commissioners formed this department so it would not have to rely on non-profits. <br /> Staff will communicate this to the Arts Commission and the Visitors Bureau. <br /> Commission for Women: <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that she is not ready to disband the Commission for <br /> Women as long as women make something like 70% of what men make and have other <br /> disadvantages. She wants to continue this as a function. There can be better ways of doing <br /> things, but she does not want to disband it. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger asked if it could be folded into the Human Rights and <br /> Relations function. Commissioner Nelson said that he has been liaison to both of these <br /> groups and they like that idea better than going with a non-profit. He thinks that it could be a <br /> good fit. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said that the County Commissioners should explore from both <br /> boards and see how they could merge and complement each other. <br /> Frank Clifton said that when boards are merging then people should forget the titles <br /> and pay more attention to the people that are appointed. The big issue is not focusing on one <br /> segment of society and looking at a broader segment of society. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said that she is concerned about advisory boards that render <br /> services and that this sets a precedent. She was speaking about "Girl Talk." <br /> Commissioner Nelson said that the Commission for Women should hear this question. <br /> He said that the whole vision is to get something started and then to spin it off. They are doing <br /> a couple of pilot programs in some schools. He said that the kids love it and the response <br /> from parents is good. The hope is for the schools to take it over. There has not been much <br /> activity lately in the Commission for Women, but now they are turning it around. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that, if there were a merger, then the title should change to <br /> symbolize that it is a new group and that the Commission for Women was not sunset. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger asked that the current members of the Commission for <br /> Women would be allowed to fulfill their terms on the new commission. <br /> The Board agreed to explore a possible merger of this with HRC after hearing the pros <br /> and cons of it. <br /> Economic Development Commission: <br /> Frank Clifton said that there are several functions like this in the County that talk but do <br /> not collaborate. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that he is concerned that without a strong County presence, <br /> there will not be economic development in the County. He would hope that the Orange County <br /> Economic Development Commission would not be subsumed by Chapel Hill or Carrboro. <br /> Frank Clifton said that there needs to be a stronger partnership with the other entities. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that this is another one of those areas where the County is <br /> self-defeating. There are four economic development groups in Orange County. He said that <br />