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2 <br /> price people out. He said that it is internally run, and programs are understaffed. He said it takes <br /> significant staff to run a multiple age group recreational league. He said they have 50 plus <br /> volunteers and 30 are USA Hockey certified coaches. He said he is concerned this change will <br /> crush hockey in Orange County. He said TYHNC has the experience and volunteers available to <br /> run hockey in Orange County. He asked the Board to do what they can to intervene. <br /> Nichole Palombo said she is 16 and has played with the Hillsborough Hogs since she was <br /> 12. She said the Hogs are the longest running youth hockey program in the Triangle and have <br /> been operating for over 40 years. She said it has been affordable and prevents players from <br /> having to drive to Raleigh or Greensboro. She said players go on to play in college and adult <br /> leagues. She said it is unethical for RFP to replace Hillsborough Hogs. She said that they make <br /> hockey affordable to all players and even have equipment for those that cannot afford it. She <br /> asked how a corporation could replace a non-profit and still have the same interests in mind for <br /> the community. <br /> Mark Bedell said he is speaking on behalf of Rachel Parrot. She has 3 kids and they have <br /> been members since 2019. He said they did not know about hockey or the cost before joining <br /> Hogs. He said that she is worried she will not be able to afford hockey for her kids anymore if the <br /> change occurs. He said that the RFP does not provide the same level of financial support as the <br /> Hogs. He said he has no faith that the Sportsplex management can accommodate the needs of <br /> her family based on the currently advertised rates. He said that they have great financials and <br /> have partnered with the Carolina Hurricanes. He said that no one asked families that play hockey <br /> what they thought about how it should be run. He asked the Board to ensure the Hogs are able <br /> to operate as they have these past years. <br /> Commissioner Fowler arrived at 7:12 pm. <br /> Martin Molloy said his son has played for the Hogs for 10 years and he has been a coach <br /> for 5. He said USA Hockey requires a lot of hours of training to become a coach. He said the <br /> Hogs put families first. He said a private entity that is profit driven means there is no accountability. <br /> He said they will care more about the money than the kids. He said it is not going to expand <br /> opportunities for anyone except the corporation. He said he does not want to volunteer to help a <br /> private company make more money. He said RFP controlling the ice and running a league is a <br /> conflict of interest. <br /> Bruno Baudet said he has been a coach for over years and has coached every age group. <br /> He said the Hogs are family. He said his son was born with a disability that made finding <br /> environments and activities difficult and when he joined the Hogs, he thrived. He said that this <br /> program is incredibly important to the entire community. He said this will have a huge impact on <br /> hockey in the area. He asked the Commissioners to intervene so the Hogs can continue to run <br /> as they have for the past 40 years. <br /> Margo Lakin said she attended the input session in Chapel Hill regarding the rural buffer. <br /> She said scientists are needed in these land use discussions. She said Orange County is part of <br /> the Research Triangle. She said the plan needs to be science-based. She said if the <br /> Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) is to be implemented, it needs to be fully inclusive of <br /> climate change and complies with real science. She said the citizens will pay the costs and homes <br /> will become affordable. She said that watersheds will be destroyed, and trees will be clearcut. <br /> She said that they want a science-based plan for future generations. She said to respect the data <br /> and bring science to the table for the plan. <br /> John Demspey said the CLUP offers an opportunity to bring environmental goals in line <br /> with land use plans. He said since the last update in 2008, a tremendous amount of peer-reviewed <br /> scientific research has occurred, and they show urban stream syndrome. He said there are <br /> destructive effects of urbanization on water resources and streams. He encouraged the Board to <br /> look up Urban Stream Syndrome. He said the current UDOs are contributing to the development <br />