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Jeff Thompson, Seville Avenue, felt that the Ordinance would provide some hope to <br />local residents. <br />William Rigby, 8465 59th Avenue, declared that the Ordinance would be a move in the <br />right direction for small businesses in the community. <br />There being no further speakers, the Chairman closed the Public Hearing. <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Vice Chairman Flescher, <br />SECONDED by Chairman Davis, to adopt the proposed <br />local preference Ordinance. <br />Commissioner Solari opposed the Ordinance. He stated that it is a form of protectionism <br />which is anti -competition and discriminatory against other Americans, and alluding to the local <br />versus non -local bid award comparison data, he voiced that the Ordinance would probably not <br />have any material impact on the County. He read quotes from the Wall Street Journal and the <br />Economist regarding the negative impacts of economic nationalism, and reiterated his position <br />that in terms of economic development, a local preference policy would be a small step in the <br />wrong direction. <br />Commissioner Wheeler also opposed the Ordinance. He did not believe in <br />protectionism, noting that we live in a free enterprise system, where we deal with Americans <br />across the County where we can get the best deal. He felt the results obtained from the local <br />preference policy would be inconsequential; that it sets a poor standard to not allow outsiders to <br />participate in our system; and that it discourages outsiders from bidding in the County, thus <br />eliminating competition and driving up prices. <br />10 <br />July 14, 2009 <br />