Orange County NC Website
9 <br />top 10 counties in the incidence of hate crimes in North Carolina. Many <br />incidence of discrimination occur in this County. They are not reported <br />because of perceived difficulties in reporting to the State and Federal <br />agencies. This Ordinance will not violate our constitutional rights and <br />it will make it possible to deal with issues of discrimination locally. <br />Response time will be shortened by having a local Ordinance and when <br />enforcement is necessary, it will be handled much more effectively at the <br />local level. <br />George Chockley spoke in opposition to the passage of this Ordinance. <br />This proposal has put unnecessary stress on all citizens in Orange County. <br />He is not against an ordinance, however, this one is flawed. He believes <br />that it discriminates against the rural county residents. It is a <br />violation of freedom of speech. <br />James Smith spoke against the passage of this Ordinance. The potential <br />for abuse is great here. He felt that this Ordinance duplicates Federal <br />laws and is therefore unnecessary. It will place an undue burden on small <br />businesses. He suggested that a referendum be held before passing the <br />Ordinance. <br />George Allison, a citizen and President of Northern Orange NAACP, spoke <br />in favor of the passage of this proposed Ordinance. The vision for the <br />future must consist of growth. He feels they must have a way of solving <br />problems because problems always come with growth. He indicated that he <br />has often met with employers and employees in an attempt to mediate <br />situations where discrimination was perceived to have occurred. <br />Ruth Long, an Orange County resident, spoke in support of the adoption of <br />this Ordinance. <br />Gwyn Jones, an Orange. County resident and one of the original members of <br />the Commission, spoke in favor of adoption of this Ordinance. It only <br />addresses that which citizens are already guaranteed. She requested that <br />"status with regard to source of lawful income" be returned to the <br />Ordinance. Many times low income residents are not allowed to live in <br />housing of their choice because of the source of their income. For <br />example, women who receive Aid For Dependent Children often are <br />discriminated against because of the source of their income. <br />Joyce Roland, an Orange County resident, spoke in support of the passage <br />of this Ordinance. She indicated that many older women need this <br />protection in their community. They are not in a position to take <br />complaints to Raleigh. <br />Victor Tripp spoke in opposition to the adoption of this Ordinance. He <br />stated that he was concerned that his religious beliefs might cause a <br />breach of the peace. <br />Rev. David Bolick of Schley spoke in opposition to the adoption of this <br />Ordinance. He felt that this Ordinance would prohibit him from freely <br />preaching the scripture. <br />