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16 <br /> Commissioner McKee said he has deja vu reading some of the comments in the <br /> appendices because they are similar to those brought up during discussions when the current <br /> system was being developed. He said he was involved in that process many years ago and, at <br /> one time, he might have made those comments himself. He agreed that representation is <br /> heavily weighted toward urban areas of the county, because that is where people live. He said <br /> he still agrees with the belief that single member district is beneficial for accountability. He said <br /> holding a district 2 seat demands more accountability to those who have lived in Orange County <br /> for generations, as well as those who have just moved here. He said he does not agree that 7 <br /> separate districts would create a more divisive board, but it may encourage more discussion. <br /> He said he holds a rural seat, and if he had not spoken out against light rail because he saw no <br /> benefit to those in the rural areas, while the tax burden would have applied to whole county, it <br /> would not have allowed for a fairly robust conversation over a multi-year period. He said he is <br /> open to healthy discourse as long as it is not vicious. He said if the BOCC can figure out how <br /> to draw the districts, he can see benefits to single member districts. He said he strongly <br /> supports District nominated, District elected. He said it makes no sense to be nominated by <br /> District 2 and voted on by the whole county. He said in Orange County, winning the primary <br /> equals winning the election. He said the question for him is how to draw districts and how to <br /> ensure if a change is made, it allows for a broader range of political views to be present. <br /> Commissioner Greene thanked the group and staff for the thorough and informative <br /> report. She said the only thing she is really clear on right now is that, whether there are only <br /> districts or combination with at-large, district candidates should be nominated and elected only <br /> by one district because current process is confusing. She said in a way it is causing <br /> commissioners to serve two masters. She agreed with Commissioner Hamilton that more <br /> public input is needed before a referendum. <br /> Chair Price said to be clear, the Board will not be doing an up or down vote on anything <br /> soon, until a group is put together to look at how to draw the districts, which would require <br /> public input. <br /> Commissioner Greene said seven districts may not even be the right number, and more <br /> conversation is needed. <br /> Chair Price agreed. <br /> Commissioner Bedford asked if the group had more time, is there anything else it would <br /> have wanted to study or explore. <br /> Patrick Mulkey said possibly nonpartisanship, but to him, that is a joke, as there is no <br /> way to really hide one's political leanings. <br /> Judge Bryan said a couple of members discussed needing more time, but because of <br /> deadline from the Commissioners, the group did not really discuss other potential paths <br /> because it was trying to meet the deadline for the referendum. He said a person in a district <br /> seat should think about the county as a whole, and commissioners could take a pledge <br /> promising to do so. He said there was good conversation about what at-large could provide <br /> and what seven districts and no at-large would provide. He referred to the question from <br /> Commissioner Hamilton about desiring more substantial evidence of what the group found to <br /> support this recommendation, and said more information can be gathered. <br /> Commissioner Bedford thanked the board and staff for their hard work. She agreed with <br /> other commissioners that the survey sample size of 413 is a little weak, and just means more <br /> public outreach and representation is necessary. She said she is not sure that the public was <br /> demanding this discussion. She said the previous discussion was not about districts, but really <br /> focused on methods that do require general assembly approval, especially district nominate, <br /> district elect, with which she agrees. She said she is in District 1, and has struggled with some <br /> of the recent zoning requests. She said it felt that there was more pressure on the two District <br /> 2 and two At-Large Commissioners, and she felt less accountable. She said when <br />