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MOSES CAREY, JR., CHAIR ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />BARRYJACOES. VICECHAIR <br />VALERIE P FOUSHEE POST OFFICE BOX 8181 <br />. <br />AuceM. GORDON 200 SOUTH CAMERON STREET <br />.STEPHEN H HAU00n5 <br />HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27278 <br />March 2, 2005 <br />Representative Bill Faison <br />House District # 50 <br />P.O. Box 51729 <br />Durham, NC 27717 <br />Re: District Elections in Orange County <br />Dear Representative Faison: <br />I am writing at the request of the Orange County Board of Commissioners to acquaint <br />you with the process normally followed when considering and acting upon maters of <br />importance to our board and the residents we serve. The manner of election of county <br />commissioners is a matter of serious concern for our board and many of the residents of <br />Orange County. The board also believes the resolution of this matter is best left to the <br />residents and elected officials at the local level. Introduction of this matter for state <br />legislative action will only result in increased divisiveness within Orange County and <br />possible disruption of the process the board envisions for its resolution. <br />As I shared with you and the residents who participated in the Schley Listeninj session <br />last week, the Board received the petition from our residents at our .January 24 meeting <br />requesting that we consider the election of commissioners in district elections. I <br />informed the group that our Board normally prefers to receive reports and hold public <br />hearings to obtain public input prior to making significant public policy decisions. We <br />plan to do that in this case in a reasonable period of time. <br />The Board of Commissioners asked our staff at the January 24`n meeting to prepare a <br />report including the history of commissioner elections and legal options available to the <br />board for presentation at a subsequent meeting. I expect the report will be ready for <br />consideration on our agenda in early April. The residents who submitted the petition and <br />you will be notified in advance of the meeting at which it will be discussed, At that time <br />the Board can discuss the timing for any public hearings we choose to hold on the <br />subject. The public will be notified and invited to share their views at these hearings. <br />www.co.oranoe.nc.us <br />Protecting and preserving — People, Resources, Quality of Life <br />Orange County, North Carolina — You Count! <br />(919) 245 -2130 • FAX (919) 644 -0246 <br />140 <br />