Orange County NC Website
5'7 .. <br />Commissioner Walker referred to a letter address to the Board of <br />Social Services from the Attorney General's office. The letter re- <br />quested the Board of Commissioners to decide on ane of the three afore- <br />mentioned requests that appear on the Agenda. <br />Chairman Garrett stated that since an appointment had been made to <br />the Social Services Board, now the Board of Commissioners should decide <br />what action to take relative to the legality question involved and to <br />be provided with further legal background. <br />Commissioner Walker inquired of the Board as to what the next step <br />should be. <br />Mr. Coleman stated that the Attorney General's office should pro- <br />vide a comprehensive argument about the appointee. "We should prompt <br />them as to whether or not our opinion was sound." He'stated that it <br />could be that the County Commissioners could be convinced that their <br />opinion was wrong or the Attorney General's office could be convinced <br />that their opinion was wrong. <br />Commissioner Walker stated, "the County has spend time and money <br />on this matter and feel it's time to move along." He stated that the <br />Board was eating a dead horse." <br />Chairman Garrett stated that this is a very important issue. "We <br />are dealing with one of the highest personal rights - freedom to <br />participate." <br />Commissioner Pinney inquired about the $15,000.00 request from <br />the Social Services Department? "Should we be spending this money fight- <br />ing Constitution problems or helping people?" <br />Commissioner Whitted moved that the County Commissioners ask the <br />County Attorneys to do a comprehensive study of the issue. This motion <br />was seconded by Commissioner Gustaveson. <br />Further discussion ensued. <br />Commissioner Walker stated that the Social Service Board had been _' <br />directed by the Attorney General's office to take action on one of the <br />three request and if the Board decided to pursue the matter further <br />they should appropriate funds for the Social Services Board to appoint <br />legal counsel. <br />Commissioner Whitted stated that he did not feel the Social Services <br />Board needed legal counsel. <br />Commissioner Gustaveson stated that he agreed with Mrs. Garrett in <br />that the Board was dealing with an individual's right to participate in <br />Government. He inquired as to why the Board of Commissioners had not <br />been furnished with the correspondence received from the Attorney <br />General's office. <br />Mr. Walker was requested to send the referred to correspondence to <br />members of the Board. <br />Chairman Garrett called for the vote. <br />Commissioner Garrett, Gustaveson and Whitted voted aye. <br />Commissioners Pinney and Walker voted nay. <br />Chairman Garrett declared the motion passed. <br />Commissioner Walker requested that the Fiscal Officer and the <br />County Attorney prepare a statement of money already spent on the matter. <br />Other members of the Board stated that they had no objection to <br />this request. <br />Commissioner Walker then moved that the Board appoint an attorney <br />to represent the Board of Social Services. <br />fan Pinney seconded the motion. <br />