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Chairman Bowden dismissed rumors of racial discrimination and spoke of the <br />collaborative efforts with Gifford over the years. <br />Mr. Mitchell expressed appreciation of the Chairman's work and support for the <br />community, as well as that of other Commissioners. <br />Godfrey Gibson, 4136 57th Court, addressed Commissioner O'Bryan's <br />comments regarding taxpayers, and the lack of use of the pool during the winter months. He <br />acknowledged that the pool would close at some time, but begged for flexibility to negotiate <br />opening and closing hours. He alluded to a $16,000.00 over budget allocation for the North <br />County pool, and the Budget Director clarified that the North County pool did not get $16,000.00 <br />more than they asked for, they got a $16,000.00 increase over the previous year. <br />Peggy Thompson, 2307 Seville Avenue, in response to Commissioner O'Bryan's <br />concerns, stated that the hours of operation were not set in stone and were negotiable. She then <br />offered and handed to Commissioner Flescher an undisclosed contribution. <br />Reverend Dr. Crystal Bujol, 8 Vista Gardens Trail, Unit 102, felt they were <br />being scolded for asking the Board to take a fair and equitable look at this budget. She thought <br />that fairness would be to cut the North County Pool (21%), the same as Gifford. She stated that <br />for years Gifford has been a "front porch" community, underserved and economically deprived, <br />so titled by the State of Florida because Gifford was under -represented, among other things. She <br />highlighted some of the activities at the Gifford pool, which included teaching kids to be <br />lifeguards. <br />The Chairman called a break at 1-1:09 a.m., and reconvened the Meeting at 11:24 a.m., <br />with all members present. <br />October 7, 2008 23 <br />