Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Historian criticizes Rowan 250 event; resident warns of data centers and AI risks
Summary
During public comment, Charles Dean, a professional historian, criticized the county—est 250 celebration for lacking historical content and questioned allocation of $100,000; Mark Ortiz warned that large data centers and AI infrastructure pose risks to civil liberties and local economies.
Two members of the public addressed the board during the public comment period on June 15, 2026.
Charles Dean, who identified himself as a professional historian from Landis, said he was "overly disappointed" by the Fest 250 celebration at Dan Nicholas Park and questioned what county leaders intended to commemorate given the event id not foreground historical content. Dean asked where the $100,000 the commissioners voted to spend on the observance had gone and offered his services to help plan future commemorations. "What exactly were we celebrating if the ideals from the American Revolution we hold most dear were not front and center?" he asked.
Mark Ortiz spoke about the implications of data centers and artificial intelligence for "human liberty," arguing that concentrated control over data infrastructure could be used to limit access to essential services. Ortiz said the AI build-out appears driven by concentration of power rather than broad economic benefit and warned of scenarios such as frozen bank accounts or disabled vehicles if infrastructure owners chose to restrict access. "Total surveillance paired with total economic dependence is total control," he said.
Neither comment prompted board action during the meeting; the clerk requested that Charles Dean leave his contact cards for follow-up.
What’s next: the board did not announce specific follow-up steps, but staff accepted Dean's offer of contact information for future planning conversations.
