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Excerpt from August 4, 1993 Commissioner's Meeting APPENDIX K 76 Minutes and Agenda Materials presented with the understanding that the specific concerns stated above will be reviewed. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 1= VII. REPORTS A. TASK FORCE ON THE PROCESS FOR ELECTING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REPOP Keith Cook, Chair of the Task Force on the Process for Electir County Commissioners, summarized the final report and the minority report. Mr. Cook and the members of the task force were commended for the work they accomplished within a short period of time. Comments were received from several members of the task force and members of the public. Mr. Bob Ferguson, task force member, asked that the County Commissioners read the minutes of their meetings and that the task force be allowed to continue to find a way to help those who feel disenfranchised. Mr. Steven Levine feels it is time to examine the Orange County Board of Elections process. He feels the two public hearings were poorly advertised. He would like to see the Board increased from five up to nine to eleven members. Mr. Richard Hammer, task force member, noted that the opinions of the members of the task force did not change throughout the entire process. He noted that the final report was written by Mr. Cook. The task force members did not vote to approve the report. He feels the whole point of view was slanted and not presented as the majority stated. His first choice i cumulative voting. Ms. Madeline Levine expressed her concern that the vote came down racial lines. She told about the method of voting used in Cambridge, Massachusetts and will share that information with the Board at a later time. She hopes this is not the end of the process. Mr. Ben Lloyd stated that there are a lot of people who feel they are not represented on the County Commissioners. He asked that the Board consider district representation. Mr. Henry Whitfield noted that different segments of the community are not represented. For example there is not a representative from agriculture on the Board. He would like for the County Commissioners to extend the time for this task force until they come up with something that will do somgthing for the people in this county. Patrick Mulkey, task force member, urged the County Commissioners to read the minutes of the task force meetings. He feels the system is unfair to both the rural and urban citizens. Mr. Sim Efland noted he was a County Commissioner when the Board considered township representation. He commended the Board for what they have accomplished and stated that they need to get good people to run from the rural area. He suggested having township representation with an alternate in each township. He feels this would increase communications so that the people in the townships would know what is happening. Mr. Mark Marcoplos made reference to the report and stated he feels the racial division on the task force is not an issue. The main point is that no one spoke at the public hearing in favor of the current system. He hope the process will continue. The County Commissioners received the report.