BC 2010 09 20 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 20, 2010 (Regular Meeting) Page 109 Chairman White opened the meeting for Informal Public Comments at 6:41 p.m. He stated each speaker would be limited to three minutes. Toby Prewitt, resident of 472 Winfield Boulevard in Concord and retired banker, spoke regarding funding for the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). He expressed support for reinstatement of funds that were cut during the budget, noting the importance of recruiting businesses to the area to increase jobs. Clyde Higgs, resident of 210 Oak Avenue in Kannapolis and Vice President for Business Development at Castle and Cooke, expressed support for increasing funding for the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). He stated the EDC works for and recruits small businesses to the area, has a great relationship with the Research Campus and has brought many businesses to the area. He advised it is not cost effective to establish other offices of county government to address small business needs and that the EDC can do the small business development work. He addressed projects brought to the County by the EDC and urged the Board to give the EDC additional consideration. Gayle Deal, resident of 2446 Forrestbrook Drive in Kannapolis and Executive Director Business and Community Relations, Carolinas Medical Center Northeast, spoke in support of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) stating the EDC has a strong reputation and is well respected among the state and national economic development circles as well as within the local community. She advised the Cabarrus County EDC is one of only twenty -five accredited economic organizations in the world. After providing several quotes from business leaders, she stated since 2004 the county has invested $2.6 million in the EDC and has received $182 million in annual payroll in Cabarrus County. Steve Morris, resident of 49 Georgia Street NW in Concord, stated he operates the Gem Theatre in Kannapolis. He thanked the Board for amending the Agenda to discuss additional funding for the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). He urged the Board to restore $100,000.00 of funding to the EDC. He expressed concern for cutting the EDC's budget, stating it is the one entity whose focus is to bring jobs to the area. Further, he advised that ample funding should be available since merit raises for county employees were cut from the budget and moved to the Board's contingency line item. Kathy Waters, resident of 7005 Davidson Highway in Concord, stated she was a Philip Morris employee for twenty -seven and a half years, lost her job over a year and a half ago and has not been able to find a job since that time. She urged the Board to support the EDC (Economic Development Corporation) for her, her family and for all the unemployed Philip Morris employees and their families. She stated the 10.8 percent unemployment rate in Cabarrus County is so much more than a number. That percentage number represents 8,000 people in this county that are out of work today. Many are facing the end of their unemployment benefits, homeownership and the lifestyle as they knew it before. She acknowledged that she is one of the 8,000. Brian Romans, resident of 510 Wiley Avenue in Salisbury, stated he is here to speak on behalf of Justice for Bella. He stated at a press conference a few months ago, he understood changes would be made to animal control and to the shelter. He said those changes have not yet been made. He advised, since Bella was killed, three other communities in North Carolina have stopped using the gas chamber. He urged the Board to implement the "no- kill" equation in Cabarrus County. Tamara Gasper, resident of 829 Chastain Avenue in Concord, advised that the destruction of her cat, "Snowflake ", within 18 hours of being delivered to the animal shelter is a violation of state law. She also commented on her attendance of the last Animal Preservation and Protection Advisory Committee ( APPAC) meeting where too much time was wasted defending and arguing over fault. She advocated that APPAC members who do not want to protect and preserve the lives of animals should step down or be asked to leave the Committee. Further, she asked to be appointed to the Committee ( "new task force ") as the representative of "Snowflake's Sanctuary ", a nonprofit entity undergoing incorporation, and pledged to work diligently to help the community. Jessica Juba, resident of 2875 Eagle View Place in Concord, read the following statement: