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,i <br />inequity, and inequality. True social justice cannot be imposed upon any group from on high. <br />Rather, the process must be a collaborative effort of all people who are subject to it. For this <br />reason, the HRC chose to go to great lengths to solicit input on social justice from all segments <br />of the Orange County community. Communities are dynamic, and any social justice goal must <br />evolve to continue to reflect the community it represents. The Board of County Commissioners <br />must take the community feedback provided and find a way to prioritize and synthesize this <br />information into a concise set of objectives for the HRC to pursue. She said that this document <br />is a beginning and not an end. <br />Bryant Colson thanked the Board of County Commissioners for the opportunity to work <br />with the other HRC members and staff on this endeavor. He said that the primary tool to solicit <br />input from citizens was "Pennies in a Jar", where each individual got $13, which represented <br />tax dollars, to designate to six areas of social justice -elimination of oppression, civic <br />participation, environmental justice, physically and mentally safe communities, economic self- <br />sufficiency, and other. The information received from the constituency was diverse and <br />interesting and is summarized on page 19 in the document. He said that the input was very <br />informative. <br />Josephine Harris said that the HRC members and HRR staff were able to go into the <br />County to solicit information and input. There were public listening sessions throughout the <br />County, and the staff and members went to food distribution sites, senior centers, fairs and <br />festivals, etc. <br />The County Commissioners commended everyone for the work done on this document. <br />PUBLIC COMMENT: <br />Rev. Robert Campbell said that in order to have social justice, one must be a part of the <br />process. He said that he heard that great effort had been made to get participation, but he <br />does not see social justice for the Rogers Road/Eubanks Road neighborhood. He said that no <br />one in his neighborhood was contacted about this situation. He said that there should be an <br />element or criteria for environmental racism, because it is not the same as environmental <br />injustice. He said that there should be participation from his neighborhood for this work on <br />social justice. <br />Chair Carey said that Rev. Campbell's comments show how complex this matter is. He <br />said that no one was excluded in this process, and he is sure that steps were taken to go to <br />communities that are not usually sought out for information. He thinks that there are people in <br />the County who may not be aware of this process since it has been going on for so long. <br />Commissioner Foushee echoed Chair Carey's comments. She said that the County <br />Commissioners need to find time to meet with the HRC sooner rather than later. She said that <br />the striking overall sentiment of the document was that Orange County wants to create a just <br />society. In that creation, Orange County needs to determine what is just to all of its citizens. <br />She wants to meet with the HRC as soon as possible. <br />c. Resolution Supporting Water Conservation by all Orange County citizens. <br />Insert <br />Environment and Resource Conservation Director Dave Stancil said that the resolution <br />would address water conservation on multiple levels in Orange County. Currently, Orange <br />County is in an exceptional drought, which is the highest of five categories that the U. S. <br />Drought Monitor has for degrees of drought. The forecast is that the drought will persist into <br />2008, and the Governor urges water conservation throughout the State. The resolution speaks <br />to both citizens of the public water supplies and those who are on private wells. <br />