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a portion of tho~e funds for a convention center. He stated the increase would also provid~ funding for the Expo and a sports marketing program and would bring new j~bs to the County. He objected to the concept of creating a new authority to~rovide oversight for the ~trena and the convention center. Mr. Thomas jHill stated he would like to see a convention center in Cab·true County hut opposed an increase in the occupancy tax. He stated private funds should be used to pay for a convention center. There was ~o one else present who wished to address the Board, and Chairman Freeman ~losed the public hearing at 8:06 p.m. Fr4eman presented the following Statement. Chairman Statement from Cab·true County Board of Commissioners Chairman Robert M. Freeman July 21, 2003 The Board o~ Commissioners has a vision for Cab·true County. In that visioni citizens and businesses are prosperous. High-paying jobs aboundland there is no unemployment to speak of. The econom~ xs thrivxn~ and diverse. There is an unprecedented level of sustainabil~ty. Children re~eive a top-notch education in fine schools. Excellent higher educational opportunities provide them an even brighter future. / Families an~ friends play and relax together in the ~ny parks scattered t~roughout the county. Crime is under control because people have! good Jobs. Q~ality of life is high. There is an unwavering ~enae of community; of belonging. People care not Just about the w%ll being of their families, but about their neighbors too. The local g~vernments in the county cdoperate, recognizing we ere stronger anymore prosperous if we work together for the benefit of all, ra~her than going our separate ways. Many government services a~e consolidated so they can be delivered more efficientlyland effectively. Taxes and fees are low but service levels are ligh. Tonight we'~e heard from many people who share our vision of prosperity ~nd cooperation and we applaud their efforts and commitment ~o our county. Our vision can be a reality, but we must think ~n new ways, be open to new ideas. We'll hear That's when field of ec Center to leaders of step toward Another ste~ a Joint me Concord Cit' publicly ow and talk about some of those ideas on August ~. experts and visionaries fro~ around the state in the ~nomic develop·lent will come to the Arena and Events hare their knowledge wi~h the elected and business )ur community. This economic development summit is a our vision. will be taken one week from tonight. I've called for ~ting then of the Board of Commissioners and the Council to discuss the possibility of building · · ed convention center, while we have read in the newspapers Shat the city council is seeking about $20 million from Cabarn;s County taxpayers to construct a convention center. we have ne%er received such a request from them, nor have we received an invitation to discuss the issue with them. Next Monday will be the first such discussion to be held. I said earlier our vision can be a reality, but we must think in new ways and be open to new ideas. Next Monday, the time for that will have cc~e. The aditori~l in Sunday's Independent Tribune called for elected officials tq put away egos and turf concerns and act in the beet interest oil. the county by building a convention center. We a~rae. That's why ~e've called for the joint meeting. And that's why we have developed the concept of · Convention and Arena Authority.