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4 <br /> • Aug 25, 2016 - Having been challenged to reevaluate their position by MST opponents, <br /> the OWASA board confirmed their June 23 decision. <br /> • Sep 19, 2016 2d Community meeting, Maple View Center. This meeting was <br /> professionally facilitated and focused on the concerns voiced at the April meeting. <br /> Professionals from law enforcement, state forestry, local emergency services (fire and <br /> EMT) were unified in stating that the MST presented no issues for their departments <br /> (other than budgetary) <br /> • Dec 8, 2016 3d Community Meeting, West Campus Office —Cancelled/Rescheduled for <br /> March 6th. <br /> • Mar 6, 2017 3d Community Meeting, Whitted Center— Focus on northern section; Final <br /> report to be submitted to BOCC in May 2017— May, 2017 Final report deferred until <br /> September <br /> It has now been more than 18 months since the BOCC requested a plan for MST completion <br /> from the Orange County staff. Other than obtaining OWASA's updated approval for a trail route <br /> on OWASA lands, little real progress has been made. Most frustratingly, the plan for the initial <br /> Orange County segment has not changed much since our letter to Commissioner Dorosin in <br /> January, 2016: i.e., until the trail can be completely located off-road through easements and <br /> purchased parcels, the route will be an interim road walk from Saxapahaw to the OWASA <br /> border on Route 54; then up the Cane Creek Reservoir to Buckhorn or Bradshaw Quarry Road, <br /> north east on Chestnut Hill Rd. and Mt. Willing Rd. to the Seven Mile Creek preserve, and then <br /> on to the Eno River via Occoneechee Mtn. and the Hillsborough River Walk. The FMST and <br /> several local landowners are ready to make this a reality. All we need is for Orange County to <br /> officially designate the route and authorize trail construction. <br /> Best of all, the MST budget impact is non-existent or negligible. Why are we delaying? <br /> Thank you. <br /> Allan K. Green <br /> Tracy Shain said she is the PTA treasurer at Hillsborough Elementary School, and <br /> asked the Board to fully fund the OCS budget request. <br /> Bob Shriner said he is here to speak on behalf of the coaches in OCS, where he has <br /> coached for almost 30 years. He asked that the Board support Dr. Wirt's request to fully fund <br /> the OCS budget request. <br /> Will Gehrman said he is the athletic director at Gravelly Middle School, and spoke in <br /> support of full funding for the OCS budget request. <br /> Arlene Saper said she is a language teacher in OCS, and supports the superintendent's <br /> budget request to fully fund the OCS. <br /> Monique McAdoo said she is a graduate of OCS, and also a TA and a graduate student. <br /> She said she was involved in athletics and other programs during her time as a student. She <br /> said she is asking for the Board's support to fully fund their schools. <br /> b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br /> (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda <br /> below.) <br /> 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members <br /> Commissioner McKee said he was glad that OCS brought its revised figures forward. <br /> He said the budget process is a partnership, and he is heartened to have these numbers in time <br /> for further discussion. <br />