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2 <br /> Clerk Beverly A. Blythe gave the oath to Commissioners Moses Carey Jr. , <br /> Stephen Halkiotis and Don Willhoit. The oath was given earlier at the 4: 00 <br /> meeting of the Equalization and Review Board to Shirley E. Marshall and Lee <br /> F. Butzin. <br /> AWARD PRESENTATIONS <br /> 1. "HEALTH YOURSELF" CONTEST <br /> Chair Marshall presented to Tim Lutenski an award for winning the <br /> logo contest and to Meg Molloy an award for submitting the winning title <br /> for the newsletter. <br /> PUBLIC HEARINGS <br /> 1. MASTER RECREATION AND PARKS PLAN <br /> Chair Marshall stated that concerns have been raised about the <br /> location of the proposed parks and noted that the sites have not been <br /> determined. The circles on the map indicate only an area -- not a specific <br /> location. She noted that she cannot ever foresee that any future Board <br /> would move in and condemn land for recreational purposes when the family <br /> that owns that land does not want to sell. <br /> Recreation and Parks Director Mary Anne Black presented slides <br /> which gave an overview of the process that was used in developing the <br /> proposed Master Recreation and Parks Plan and how the plan is unique in <br /> that it addresses those recreation and park needs for the County for the <br /> next twenty years. <br /> The Public Hearing was open for citizen comments. <br /> CHARLES BURGER , member of the Orange County Recreation and Parks <br /> Advisory Council, stated he takes his responsibilities very seriously. He <br /> expressed his advocacy for the cause of public parks and recreation in <br /> Orange County. He noted that only through a well planned initiative by <br /> County Government can we put together a parks system which meets the <br /> recreational needs of Orange County citizens. Civic and volunteer <br /> organizations are important but are only a part of the whole structure. He <br /> asked that adequate support be given to the talented and dedicated <br /> recreational staff so they can deliver their services. He stated that the <br /> plan is both proper and reasonable for Orange County. He talked about the <br /> vision and courage that would be needed by the Board to initiate the Plan. <br /> FRANK SHEFFIELD spoke in strong support of the proposed Master Parks <br /> Plan and in particular the idea of a district park in the vicinity of a <br /> proposed new reservoir that will be built somewhere near Hillsborough. He <br /> also supported the need for a swimming pool at Orange High School. In <br /> general he stated that more parks are needed in Orange County. He pointed <br /> out that there is not a public swimming pool available north of Chapel Hill <br /> and there is a desperate need for a pool in the northern part of the <br /> County. <br /> GRAINGER BARRETT spoke in support of the Master Plan. Parks are a <br /> legacy for generations to come. He emphasized that approval of the plan is <br /> the first step before going to the citizens with a bond referendum to pay <br /> for these parks and pools. The bonds will be spread over a twenty year <br /> perio�nd will be the best dollars spent in Orange County. <br /> L LUDINGTON spoke about the controversy that the plan has aroused <br /> and her surprise at this controversy indicating a lot had to do with a lack <br /> of understanding of what the Master Park Plan actually is. It is important <br /> for the people to know that the County is not going to take their land or <br /> raise taxes. The County is growing with a rapid pace of development which <br /> makes it critical that the County have a plan for the next twenty years or <br />