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2 <br /> <br />w/Beam’s Porch Song (2015 UNC-CH, 2016 NC Opera). Forthcoming—a children’s book The <br />Droods (English artist Phil Cooper). Retired botanical librarian (2011 UNC-CH). Beam lives <br />with his husband Stanley of 38 years in Hillsborough. <br /> <br />Jeffrey Beam read some of his poems. <br /> <br />2. Public Comments <br /> <br />a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda <br />Phillip Nasseri, White Cross Fire Department Fire Chief, said he wanted to inform the <br />Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) of a collaborative effort between all of the fire <br />departments/law enforcement/Emergency Services to create a countywide training facility, and <br />that this group has asked the federal government for a $330,000 grant for the initial facility of a <br />structure. He said this group has secured the matching funds of 10%, based on the County’s <br />population. He said land has been chosen for this facility, and this group may reach out in the <br />future for assistance. He said his goal tonight is to make the Board of County Commissioners <br />(BOCC) aware of this process, and it is a unique opportunity, the collaboration for which has <br />never existed before. He said this building will allow all first responders to train in a more <br />efficient and safe manner. He asked the BOCC if it would provide written support of the <br />project. <br />Commissioner Price asked if the support will be expressed as a united board, or as <br />individual Commissioners. <br />Chair Dorosin said as a united board. <br />Tony Blake said he is the president of the White Cross Fire Department Board of <br />Directors (BOD), and the community is in support of this project. He said it will be funded <br />through the fire departments, and not from the Board of County Commissioners. He stressed <br />the importance of this proposed joint training facility. <br />Laura Streitfeld said she is with Preserve Rural Orange (PRO), and she sent an email <br />request to all of the Board. She said PRO is concerned about many event centers that are <br />being presented as barns; equitable information distribution; and transparency. She said PRO <br />is asking the BOCC to look at the items that it can address. She said PRO would like the <br />BOCC to help with the following: access to information from Board of Adjustment (BOA) <br />meetings; ordinances being enforced consistently; appoint independent counsel to the BOA, to <br />prevent dual roles by legal staff; appoint independent staff to coordinate all BOA <br />communications; clarify public records, policies and procedures; post full record of public <br />documents pertaining to each event center proactively, separately, and in a searchable format; <br />and to clarify the rural special events in the unified development ordinance (UDO). She said <br />she had requested information in an electronic format, in accordance with the law, but in the <br />last two months she has only received paper copies. She asked if the BOCC would take <br />action on all of PRO’s requested items, and if it would make sure BOA meetings are recorded. <br /> <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 /> <br />3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board <br />Commissioner Burroughs had no comments.