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5 <br /> perceptions/opinions of 171 citizens regarding this issue represent less than one (1) <br /> percent of the voting population of Orange County. <br /> CHARGE: IF THE TASK FORCE DETERMINES THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM IS <br /> IN SOME WAY UNFAIR, THEN IN WHAT WAY IS IT UNFAIR AND TO <br /> WHOM IS IT UNFAIR? <br /> Response: Although the Task Force determined that the current election system is not <br /> fair and equitable for all citizens in Orange County, it could not totally pinpoint those <br /> citizens for whom the system is unfair. The questions and issues that were raised and <br /> discussed included the following: <br /> 1. Is the issue of fairness based on reality or is it one of perception? <br /> 2. Are the concerns geographical or are they philosophical? <br /> 3. Is the current system unfair to Democratics, Republicans, Independents, rural <br /> residents and/or farmers. <br /> 4. Is the system unfair to African-Americans and women? <br /> 5. Is it fair that Chapel Hill Township voters can determine the destiny of the county <br /> without any consideration of the needs and concerns of the remaining parts of the <br /> county (i.e. the recent school bond referendum)? <br /> These serious questions and issues were difficult for the Task Force to address and <br /> resolve as noted by the five (5) to three (3) vote. Some members of the Task Force felt <br /> that the current system is unfair and other members felt that it is fair. (See Attachment <br /> II -Minority Report). <br /> However, it is a moot point to continue to ponder whether or not it is a perception or a <br /> reality that the current system is unfair to some of the citizens of Orange County. The fact <br /> is that many citizens do perceive it to be unfair, as reflected by the majority of citizens <br /> who participated in the public hearings and the informal surveys. It is also a fact that <br /> many citizens do feel alienated and frustrated by their perceptions that the current system <br /> is not responsive to their needs and concerns. <br /> Recommendation: The Task Force recommends that the following points be considered <br /> immediately by the Orange County Board of Commissioners. <br /> 1. The Board has a responsibility to reach out to all citizens, not just those who have <br /> the power to determine election results. The Task Force recommends that the <br /> current Board implement various strategies to insure input in policy decisions from <br /> rural citizens and communities in the County. <br /> 3 <br />