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MINUTES OF THE ORANGE COUNTY _,,E ?? <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />August 4, 1969 <br />The Board of Orange County Commissioners met in regular session in the Social <br />Services.Department Staff Welfare. in Hillsborough, North Carolina on Monday, <br />August 4, 1969, at 10:00 o'clock A.M. <br />Members Present: Chairman Carl M. Smith, and Commissioners Harvey D. <br />Bennett, William C. Ray, Henry S. Walker and Ira A. Ward. <br />Members Absent: None <br />Minutes of the previous meetings were read and approved. <br />Chairman Smith read the following statement from Fiber Industries, Inc.: <br />"Fiber Industries, Inc., today withdrew its recuest for re-zoning <br />of its Blackwood Station property in Orange County. <br />In connection with that action, Fiber Industries President Robert <br />L. Dietrich of Charlotte said: <br />"When the Droperty in question was purchased, it was known by us <br />to be less than ideal for our purposes from an engineering point of <br />view. Nevertheless, it was the only useable site we could find in <br />Orange County and its shortcomings were, in our mind, counterbalanced <br />by the multi-faceted attractiveness of the area-and its find people, <br />the essence of any successful venture. There was then, additionally, <br />no zoning in the area and industrial plant construction was permitted <br />without question. <br />"At that time too, we appeared to have the full support of all <br />responsible organizations and citizens of Chapel Hill and Orange County, <br />a fact which encouraged us to undertake the expense and trouble necessary <br />to overcome the problems of the site. <br />"Our recent request for re-zoning, unfortunately, brought forth <br />significant opposition. Although the opposition has agreed that Fiber <br />Industries has earned an excellent reputation as a corporate citizen, <br />they, nevertheless, are opposed to our plans for construction of a plant. <br />"We feel it necessary to have near unanimous support of all major <br />organizations in a community. Thus, while we are profoundly and sincerely <br />appreciative of the warm and generous support accorded us by many fine <br />citizens within the Orange County Community, Fiber Industries has decided <br />to withdraw its reauest for re-zoning. <br />"No decision has been made as to disposition of the site." <br />Chairman Smith advised the Board that he had drafted a letter of reply <br />to Fiber Industries, Inc. relative to their request for withdrawal. Copies <br />of the letter and statement were submitted to the press. <br />Vpon motion of Commissioner Ray, seconded by Commissioner Walker, it was <br />moved and unanimously adopted, that the letter of reply to Fiber Industries, <br />Inc. be made a part of the minutes of this meeting. <br />"August 1969 <br />Mr. Robert L. Dietrich, President <br />Fiber Industries, Inc. <br />Box 10038 <br />Charlotte, N. C. <br />Dear Mr. Dietrich: <br />Mr. James Allen gave us this morning your statment in which Fiber <br />Industries, Inc. withdrew their request for the re-zoning of their <br />property in Orange County. <br />On behalf of the Orange County Board of Commissioners and the people <br />of Orange County let me express our sincere disappointment. We feel that <br />unless we can work out some arrangement which will bring Fiber Industries, <br />Inc. to our county, that this will be a major loss not only from an <br />employment opportunity and from a tax base standpoint, but from the loss <br />of an industry of this exceptional cuality. Many PHD candidates could <br />have been kept in North Carolina rather than leaving the state as they are <br />now doing. The Commissioners have asked that I strongly convey to you our <br />utmost appreciation for the cooperative spirit that you people have shown <br />throughout the past few years. We cannot compliment you highly enough.