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Kim Piracci
I find that my personal values are usually in lockstep with Orange County s. Even though some
community practices are counter intuitive regarding long term growth, for example, public
transportation versus more roads and parking spaces, Orange County usually gets it right. I
spent my first 17 years in Orange County living is Southern Village. This past summer, with our
children grown, we moved to a smaller house in the county. Adjacent to and wandering in our
property is a little creek that empties into the Eno River. I find that I have become more
interested in our fresh water sources and protecting the watersheds.
Conflict of Interest:
Supplemental Questions:
Orange County Planning Board (REQUIRES DISCLOSURE STATEMENT)
Please list the work/volunteer experience/qualifications that would add to your expertise
for this board.
Kim Piracci, GG Jewelry Appraiser, Owner, Graduate Gemologist and Certified Senior
Appraiser, planned, implemented and built small business in Chapel Hill.
Charter President of Speak Up! Toastmasters in Chapel Hill, planned, implemented and worked
together with a diverse group of people to found a new group for Chapel Hill and surrounding
areas.
Last year I helped to start and am now the Treasurer for a Chapel Hill Questers group. Questers
is an international organization with a mission to preserve and restore local landmarks. There is
a new group starting in Hillsborough as well and I plan to be part of that effort.
It seems that I often find myself in leadership positions, beginning in elementary school and
through college, often being elected to student government positions. I like to see people
working together toward improvements.
What unique perspective can you bring to the Orange County Planning Board?
I lived in Chapel Hill, actually Southern Village, for seventeen years. Our children came of age
here, utilizing the library, public transportation, parks and other amenities here. I appreciate the
contribution these facilities make to the quality of life here.
I now live in the county and welcome the wild spaces, trails and watershed areas and recognize
the importance of them for the benefit of people that live in Orange County.
I am a business owner and know that it can be a difficult place to open a business in. I also
appreciate that these difficulties protect the county and people that live here, and make it a
terrific place to live. An appropriate balance is obviously what we all would like and what I would
like to participate in.
What do you see as the responsibilities of this board, and what do you hope to
accomplish if appointed?
Broadly speaking, the Planning Board would make sure that Orange County has a wonderful
future. More specifically, the Board addresses land use, public transportation and other issues
affecting the county. As I understand it from the website, the board researches Orange County,
decides on appropriate objectives, develops policies and proposes them to the Board of County
Commissioners.
I personally, would like to work on protecting our natural environment.
What do you consider to be be the most important issues facing Orange County related
to growth?
To quote a famous politician from the last century, It s the economy, stupid.
Obviously we need to have steady economic growth. How can we protect our citizenry, and the
environment as our universities and businesses grow? What infrastructure do we need to build