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24 <br /> 1 Before I became a member of the Sierra Club in the 80s and a sustaining donor to SELC, <br /> 2 indeed, before I became an environmentalist, I was raised a preacher's kid in The South. <br /> 3 know deeply held religious views when I see them. And that is what I am seeing from LR <br /> 4 proponents. They are preaching the Old Time Religion of the environmental benefits of this <br /> 5 Rail system. As described by Julie McClintock, the EIS for the project says those benefits are <br /> 6 few and almost all will be seen in Durham County at the cost of the transportation needs of so <br /> 7 many of our citizens. Further, Durham's gains put at risk moneys for our schools and other <br /> 8 services. Proponents don't care. To true believers in this Rail line (and the folks who stand to <br /> 9 profit from it) the depth of the financial hole that Davenport says we will fall into is not <br /> 10 important. Commissioners: "Is the depth of that financial hole important to you? <br /> 11 <br /> 12 Thank you. <br /> 13 <br /> 14 Tony Blake provided and reviewed a hand out. He said he is against the LRT. He said <br /> 15 it will not promote affordable housing, and will only exacerbate sprawl. He said there needs to <br /> 16 be a more comprehensive transit plan that serves the entire County. <br /> 17 Lee Storrow said this is a passionate community that agrees on a great deal. He said <br /> 18 this community supports the environment, sustainability, and access for residents to good <br /> 19 transit. He said he supports light rail as a component of a broader transportation plan for this <br /> 20 region. He said the community cannot be scared of making big investments. <br /> 21 Ann Loftin said there is one thing that all could agree on: a trolley that could run from <br /> 22 Durham throughout Orange County, and a train that went to the airport, and a train to Raleigh; <br /> 23 but that is not going to happen. She said all that is being offered is a train that links the <br /> 24 universities' hospitals, and she does not understand why the universities are not paying for it. <br /> 25 <br /> 26 A motion was made by Commissioner Burroughs, seconded by Commissioner Rich to <br /> 27 close the public hearing. <br /> 28 <br /> 29 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 30 <br /> 31 Chair Dorosin thanked the public for its thoughtful and respectful participation this <br /> 32 evening. He said emails can be sent to the BOCC until the final vote takes place. <br /> 33 Chair Dorosin said the Board has asked for more information on the amount of <br /> 34 additional expansion bus hours included in the OPT service plan, and how much funding would <br /> 35 need to be available to fund those hours, given the current formula with Chapel Hill and <br /> 36 GoTriangle. He said staff intends to open negotiations with those parties on realigning the <br /> 37 allocation and thinking through the rail dividend. He said there will also be an updated analysis <br /> 38 from Davenport given the reduction of the Orange County share to 16.5 %. He said the BOCC <br /> 39 will discuss all details, including the scenario that should be in the final cost share agreement at <br /> 40 Thursday's meeting. <br /> 41 <br /> 42 6. Regular Agenda <br /> 43 NONE <br /> 44 <br /> 45 7. Reports <br /> 46 NONE <br /> 47 <br /> 48 9. County Manager's Report <br /> 49 NONE <br /> 50 <br />