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32 <br /> "Somehow or another, we've got to get the power back into the hands of those who are <br /> in need. That's what I'm thinking that this whole thing is all about. You know, we're trying <br /> to empower those who don't have power, you know? So I guess what I'm saying is that <br /> is one of the things that I focus on, trying to get the people who actually are in need the <br /> ability to communicate directly to those who are providing their needs. You know, give <br /> them a voice somehow." <br /> • Community Experts say past assessments and report processes have altered or "sugar <br /> coated" their voices and perspectives. Communities deserve to be heard in exactly the <br /> ways we express ourselves and to share information directly with decision-makers. <br /> "There's one gentleman that goes to the Carrboro meetings every June, before the cycle <br /> gets decided, he's always saying, what the heck 1 am appalled of you... And he does that <br /> every year. He's always complaining about it. So when I see him going for five years <br /> in a row, I'm like, if we all went and sat down and said, so this is one of the things we <br /> need to make awareness of community members that know that we're struggling, and <br /> the things that they have in place are not working, we can speak in this sessions and go <br /> in and say, look, you're giving too little to this food program or the money that's going <br /> for housing. We make them accountable." <br /> • Board meetings should become more accessible to improve democratic participation. <br /> This can begin with better communication especially with directly impacted communities <br /> and those historically disenfranchised. Meeting schedules should be shared regularly <br /> with important topics and decisions highlighted. An active message board or email alert <br /> system would help make sure communities know about important meetings. Meeting <br /> environments and elected boards should embrace and support participation from com- <br /> munities most impacted by economic, housing, transportation, and food policy decisions. <br /> Overall, Orange County and the Towns do not have an equitable or fair way of listening to <br /> community. The same privileged groups of people who are able to show up at meetings <br /> and who have the time, skills, or access to track local policy and program information <br /> continue to have an unfair influence on decisions. <br /> 17 <br />