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4 <br />Jerry Salak asked that the Board support local legislation for the <br />addition of sexual orientation as a protected class in the County's Human <br />Rights Ordinance. He told about acts of discrimination against him in <br />employment practices and the physical harm he endured. He noted that the <br />University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill does not have a formal policy to <br />protect Gays in the workplace. <br />Lightening Brown spoke in support of requesting the needed <br />legislation to add sexual orientation as a protected class to the County's <br />Human Rights Ordinance. He asked that the letters from the governing boards <br />of Carrboro and Chapel Hill-supporting this addition be entered in the <br />record of this. meeting. He told about acts of discrimination against him <br />because he is gay. <br />Mariah G. McPherson, Chair of the Orange County Democratic Party, <br />said that this has been an issue for 15 years. She feels everyone should be <br />treated as equals. She asked that sexual orientation be added. <br />Verla Insko, former County Commissioner, spoke in support of asking <br />for local legislation authorizing the County to add sexual orientation as a <br />protected class in the County's Human Rights Ordinance. She feels there is <br />support in the community and that other counties will ask for this same <br />protection in the years ahead. She asked that the Board just do it because <br />it is the right thing to do and that this is a human rights provision -- not <br />a gay rights provision. <br />Chair Carey questioned the timing of this request considering the <br />changes in the legislature. <br />Commissioner Willhoit noted that although he feels this is not the <br />time, he has no reservations about sending it forward. It is the <br />legislative delegation who must fight for it and it is their prerogative on <br />how to present this. request. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis feels the Board should support this request <br />because it is the right thing to do and sends a message. <br />Commissioner Gordon agreed with sending it forward. <br />Howard McAdams asked that the Board support Senate bill 202, House <br />bills 127 and 214. He asked that they not support Senate bills 149, 150 and <br />174. Chair Garey noted that the County Commissioners as a Board do not take <br />a position on proposed legislation such as this but as individuals can <br />support or not support particular proposed legislation. Howard McAdams <br />asked that the Board support a deposit on drink bottles. <br />Commissioner Willhoit made reference to Transferable Development <br />Rights. He feels that even though the Board had decided not to seek local <br />legislation that one of the potential applications is in the area of <br />flexible development options. He asked if local legislation can be obtained <br />to allow the County to develop land use options. <br />After an extended discussion, the Board decided not to seek local <br />legislation until a clearly defined plan is developed. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner <br />Halkiotis to approve the local legislation as presented adding the necessary <br />legislation for sexual orientation. <br />Chair Carey asked for a vote and the aye votes were heard. However, <br />before he called for the "no" votes, Commissioner Crowther asked that Human <br />