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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHCBOE Board Meeting Minutes - January 5, 2010 - Public Forum MeetingHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS PUBLIC FORUM MINUTES JANUARY 5, 2010 7:00 p.m. Present were Walter Massey, Chairman, Secretary James Currin and Member Louise Taylor. Also present were Sherre Toler, Director, Claudette Williams, Deputy Director and Donna Gallion, Administrative Support Specialist. Members of the public and the news media were also in attendance. Chairman Massey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Ms. Toler opened the meeting by explaining the purpose of the forums and the reasons for the proposed polling place changes. Ms. Toler began with the Johnsonville Precinct. The proposal is to move it from the Spouts Springs Fire Station, 20054 NC 24-27, Cameron to Johnsonville Primary School, 18495 NC 27 W. Cameron. Ms. Toler indicated that there may possibly be grant money available to put a ramp from the parking area to the sidewalk area in front of the gymnasium. Chairman Massey asked the public for comments. No comments were made at that time. Ms. Toler proposed the Boone Trail precinct change from Boone Trail Fire Station, 7016 US 421 N, Lillington to the Boone Trail Elementary gym, 8500 Old US 421, Lillington. Ms. Toler also advised that when the new Boone Trail Elementary School opens in the fall the old school gym could still be used for voting and the polling place would not have to be moved to the new school location. Chairman Massey asked the public for comments. Public comments: Peter Goolsby indicated that he while he believed voting in schools is a good idea, he is concerned about using the schools when they are in session. Rachel (last name unknown) indicated that she was a member of the school calendar committee for the Bd. of Education and commented that Election Day was a teacher workday. Ms. Toler stated that the School Board has declared General Election Day in even numbered years as a teacher workday. However, she did advise that school is in session during primaries or other special elections held during the school year. Ms. Toler also advised that she worked closely with the principals at those schools when school is in session to ensure student safety. Ms. Toler proposed merging the Lillington and Neill's Creek precincts to become the Central Harnett Precinct to be located at the Commons Area, 307 W. Cornelius Harnett Blvd. Ms. Toler advised that doing so the county would save approximately $870 per election. Chairman Massey asked the public for comments. Public comments: Barbara McKoy expressed concern that voters in Neill's Creek and Lillington would have to go too far and that voter turnout would be lowered for Lillington. She also stated there would be limited parking because of DSS and Health Department traffic. Elizabeth Crudup expressed concern that there wouldn't be enough poll workers for a larger precinct. She also didn't like the idea of losing a precinct from a party standpoint. Ms. Crudup was also concerned with jurisdictional issues. Ms. Toler stated there would be no jurisdictional changes as the result of any polling place changes. The only thing that would be changing is the location of voting. Ms. Toler also advised that the merged precinct would not be as large as some precincts that are already in place. Ms. Toler stated that merging the two precincts would require less poll workers than if they were separate precincts.. Elliot Crews stated that he didn't believe voter turnout would be lower if Lillington and Neill's Creek precincts were merged. He indicated that he preferred the Commons Area location to the library and the community building (the former Lillington precinct location). Lois Coats -Stephenson, a Neill's Creek poll worker, indicated that she supported the merger and believes parking would be much better. Thomas Ellis expressed concern that the timing to move the precincts would be a disadvantage. Mr. Ellis also questioned the safety concerns at the other precincts. Ginger Ballard detailed the accident at the Boone Trail precinct in November of 2008. Ms. Ballard also discussed safety concerns at the Johnsonville precinct. Rachel also discussed the dangerous traffic at the Johnsonville location. Peggy McDougald stated that she believes traffic is an issue at the Johnsonville precinct and supports changing the location. Ms. McDougald also indicated that she believes combining Lillington and Neill's Creek and moving to the Commons Area would be a positive change. Samuel Reid, a Lillington poll worker, voiced strong support for the Lillington and Neill's Creek merger and advised that working in the Lillington precinct is like working in a "closet". Tommy Burns stated that this would be the second polling place change for Neill's Creek voters and that some voters might have to drive as far as 10 miles to vote. Mr. Burns also stated that he believed the Commons Area would be a better location for Lillington voters than the library. Erica Gallion stated that she was a former worker for the Board of Elections and that the traffic was bad at the Johnsonville and Boone Trail precincts. Ms. Gallion also commented that although she physically lives closer to the Erwin/Duke precinct she has to travel to Coats to vote. However, Ms. Gallion further stated that she believes if citizens want to vote they should be willing to go wherever they have to go or they could vote early or vote by mail. The next meeting of the Board will be its regular monthly meeting on January 12, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at which time the Board will vote on the proposed changes. With no further comments, Chairman Massey adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Approved by: