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25 <br /> 1 Slide #13 <br /> Applicant's <br /> Presentation <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> NORTH CAROLINA <br /> 2 <br /> 3 Anthony Cecil and Jana Murdock-Doherty, representing the Efland Ruritan Club, greeted <br /> 4 the Board. <br /> 5 Jana Murdock-Doherty read the following statement: <br /> 6 "Good evening and thank you for the opportunity to address the Board. My name is Jana <br /> 7 Murdock-Doherty, and I am a Board member for the Efland Ruritan Club. This is Anthony Cecil, <br /> 8 long-time member and current president of the Club. We are coming before you this evening to <br /> 9 request a recommendation to change the zoning designation from R1 to GC-4 on the parcels <br /> 10 owned by the Efland Ruritan Club. This change would bring the property's zoning in line with its <br /> 11 current and historical uses, as well as with the County's Future Land Use Plan. <br /> 12 As Ruritan is one of the lesser-known civic organizations, I'd like to take a moment and share <br /> 13 some information about it. Ruritan is a national civic service organization made up of local clubs <br /> 14 dedicated to improving their communities by identifying needs in their area and implementing <br /> 15 solutions to address those needs. Club membership represents a cross-section of the community <br /> 16 in which the club serves, and is not restrictive with regard to occupation, social position, or any <br /> 17 other specific criteria. Currently, there are about 25,000 members in 900 communities nationwide. <br /> 18 Our Club in Efland was founded in 1981 when 4 local citizens saw a great opportunity to serve <br /> 19 and support our community. They came together to purchase the land from the Orange County <br /> 20 School Board and charter the club to benefit Efland and Orange County, and we have been in <br /> 21 operation ever since. Our mission as a non-profit civic organization is to strengthen and improve <br /> 22 our community through various activities and financial methods. <br /> 23 Prior to the Club's existence, this property served as the local high school for the area, and before <br /> 24 that as the site of the elementary school. Many local citizens have a strong connection to this site <br /> 25 and happy memories from those times. Not long ago, I was chatting with one of our members <br /> 26 about the history of the buildings while we were preparing a benefit dinner, and I got to hear some <br /> 27 great stories about when he attended the high school. This sort of oral history is made possible <br /> 28 by being able to gather together in this place, and being able to pass those stories down helps to <br /> 29 deepen the younger generation's connection to the community, too. It's clear that this centrally <br /> 30 located spot makes sense as a hub of activity and community engagement in the area — it has <br /> 31 always been a natural gathering place. <br /> 32 Currently, we serve the community in several different ways, including events for community <br /> 33 enjoyment, scholarships for graduating seniors from each of the local high schools, sponsorships <br /> 34 of other local clubs and community organizations, benefit meals, and more. Every year we host <br /> 35 a rodeo which is well-attended and enjoyed by our local community as well as surrounding <br />