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19 <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 />