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9 <br />2 <br />These Public Hearings will be advertised through paid <br />advertisements and press releases. This Task Force will also meet <br />on Wednesday, June 30th @ 7:00 p.m. in the Government Services <br />Center, Hillsborough to hear a report from Joe Ferrell with the <br />Institute of Government. Mr. Ferrell will discuss the election <br />process from a legal perspective as well as report on different <br />election processes being used in North Carolina. A recommendation <br />to the County Commissioners will be completed at that meeting if <br />possible. If that is not possible, one additional meeting will be <br />held. <br />Members were asked to comment on their personal opinion of the <br />fairness or unfairness of the current process. Their comments <br />follow: <br />Gloria Williams stated that she believes every citizen does <br />have the opportunity to participate equally in the process. She <br />mentioned the precinct meeting as one option for involvement. She <br />indicated that she supports the present system. <br />Linda Carter commented that she is aware of the perception <br />held by some Orange County citizens that County Commissioners <br />frequently have resided in Chapel Hill. She indicated that she <br />might be in favor of requiring that at least one position be <br />dedicated to represent the 300 of Orange County residents who live <br />outside of Chapel Hill Township. <br />Patricia Mulkey commented that during 25 of the last 39 years <br />three or more County Commissioners have resided within Chapel Hill <br />Township. He indicated that he felt the current system was unfair. <br />Rachel Lynch -Gaya indicated that she needed to give more <br />thought to the issue. As a resident of Northern Orange, she has <br />heard comments over the years about citizens not feeling <br />represented. Although residents of Northern Orange vote, many of <br />them feel that their candidate doesn't have a chance to win. <br />Richard Hammer indicated that as a member of the Republican <br />Party he does not feel represented. He indicated that many others <br />feel as he does. <br />Gloria Williams commented that using Districts could cause <br />citizens to become complacent. Representing the entire county <br />means that you must be responsive to the entire community. <br />A point of clarification was made. It is possible to require <br />residency from a certain Township and then have the candidate <br />elected by County as a whole. <br />Keith Cook indicated that he believes there is a perception by <br />some that they are not represented by the current system. His <br />personal opinion is that the current system is the fairest that we <br />