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ir" _ <br /> 1 <br /> APPROVED AUGUST 19, 1986 <br /> MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> SPECIAL MEETING <br /> JUNE 24, 1986 <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in special session on June <br /> 24, 1986, 7:30 p.m. at Lincoln Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. <br /> BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Don Willhoit and Commissioners Shirley <br /> Marshall, Moses Carey, Ben Lloyd and Norman Walker. <br /> ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill. <br /> STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Kenneth R. Thompson, Assistant County <br /> Managers Albert Kittrell and William- - T. Laws, Director of Finance Gordan <br /> Baker, Recreation and Parks Director Mary Anne Black, Clerk to the Board <br /> Beverly A. Blythe, Director of Finance Pam Jones, Budget Analyst Donna <br /> Wagner and Director of Personnel Beverly Whitehead. <br /> A. ITEMS FOR DECISION <br /> 1. POLICY REGARDING ISSUANCE OF PROCLAMATION <br /> 2. GAY AND LESBIAN PROCLAMATION <br /> Chair Don Willhot presented for consideration a policy question <br /> whereby the authority to issue proclamations can be clarified. This policy <br /> question was prompted because of an Anti-discrimination proclamation that <br /> was signed by the Chair. He emphasized the proclamation was not issued on <br /> behalf of the Board but issued as an individual. He further stated that <br /> although he neither condones or condemns the gay lifestyle, he is committed <br /> to opposing discrimination of people on the basis of sexuality. <br /> Commissioner Walker spoke in opposition of the proclamation and <br /> the signing of the proclamation by the Chairman. <br /> Commissioners Marshall and Carey indicated they were informed by <br /> the Chair of the proclamation and although they were not asked to sign they <br /> endorsed the concept of anti-discrimination on any basis. <br /> Attorney Geoffrey Gledhill stated that a proclamation is more <br /> ceremonial which does not have the effect of law or describe the duties of <br /> the Board of County Commissioners. A proclamation such as this is not law <br /> and does not have the affect of law and imposes no legal obligations on <br /> County government. This act does not represent a legal function of the <br /> Board. <br /> Commissioner Lloyd questioned the authority of the Chair to issue <br /> the proclamation on behalf of the Board. <br /> Chair Willhoit clarified he did not issue the proclamation on <br /> behalf of the Board of County Commissioners. <br /> Commissioner Walker stated his opposition against the lifestyle of <br /> homosexual and lesbian practices and cited statistics associated with AIDS. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Walker, seconded by <br /> Commissioner Lloyd to disapprove the Anti- <br /> discrimination proclamation. <br /> VOTE: AYES, 2; NOES, 3 (Chair Willhoit and Commissioners Marshall and <br /> Carey) <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner <br /> Marshall to table the issue of adopting a policy on the issuance of <br /> proclamations until the new board is seated in December. <br /> VOTE: AYES, 3; NOES, 2 (Commissioners Lloyd and Walker) . <br />