Agenda - 04-05-2016 - 6-a - Minutes

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11 1 Bonnie Hammersley said she would not see the Manager or designee or staff as a 2 voting member of a task force. She said these people would serve only in a technical role. 3 Commissioner Rich asked if the Sheriff, or his designee, should be a voting member. 4 Bonnie Hammersley said the Sheriff is an elected official. 5 Commissioner Rich said the BOCC are elected officials and the discussion just called 6 for the BOCC to not be voting members. 7 Chair McKee said he was not referring to all elected officials but rather BOCC members 8 specifically. 9 Commissioner Rich sees the Sheriff being there for information not for voting purposes. 10 Commissioner Jacobs said he would rather the Sheriff be a part of the process and 11 have some real participation. 12 Sheriff Blackwood said it was his intention to designate Deputy Chief Jamie Sykes to the 13 committee. He said it is critical for his department to give input to the BOCC and the BOCC 14 should do the ultimate voting. 15 Commissioner Burroughs said a facilitator would be good. 16 Commissioner Jacobs agreed. 17 18 PUBLIC COMMENT: 19 Andy Stevens read the following prepared statement: 20 Good evening Mr. Chairman and Commissioners. My name is Andy Stevens, and 21 reside at 2615 N Church St, Greensboro. I am here this evening speaking as Director of Local 22 Government Affairs for Grass Roots North Carolina, our State's "No compromise" Gun Rights 23 Organization. In full disclosure, I am also an active candidate for North Carolina Commissioner 24 of Agriculture in the upcoming March 15th election. 25 I must ask this evening, "Why does this Board persist in its effort to legislate lawful 26 behavior out of existence. I'm referring to the discharge of a firearm on one's own private 27 property. Did you know effective training can be accomplished in as little as twenty-five yards 28 distance, or less than 75 feet? 29 Before you vote this evening to proceed, you may want to consider the reaction such 30 efforts have had in other communities. For example, I can direct you to the Village of 31 Tobaccoville last month. The Mayor, who proposed it, "resigned" when he saw 200+ flood 32 Town Hall in opposition. I can point you to to similar undertaking in Rockingham County a few 33 months back....and the outrage by local citizens that will without doubt have an impact on an 34 incumbent or two running for reelection in this month's elections there. You can also read 35 about Harnett County's experience last year. 36 We guess you did not get the message from last month's meeting and your attempt to 37 back door such a freedom robbing ordinance in the first place. My organization and its 38 members are certainly concerned, and that's why I am here tonight. 39 I pulled up your current firearms ordinance this morning from the County website. Did 40 you know you are no longer in compliance with State Law, which is 2013 further limited your 41 authority to regulate concealed carry in parks? I suggest you consider revising tonight's motion 42 to include yourselves or risk GRNC filing costly litigation to compel compliance with state law. 43 As a group, I suppose you'll say you support the 2nd Amendment and don't want to take 44 away anyone's rights. Show us good faith, and table this bad, unenforceable, "feel good, but 45 do nothing", expensive, and time consuming "study recommendation" before you. Instead, deal 46 with a more serious problem in Orange County. State Law regarding firearms possession has 47 changed twice in the last 3 years...and your existing Orange County ordinance in the matter 48 has not. Orange County is not compliant with State Law. "Firearms Prohibited" signage and 49 language at Orange County parks, for example, need to be taken down. GRNC can and will 50 sue the County if necessary to see the County comply with State law. Ask the Mayor of