Minutes 02-20-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 Artha Cravey said she wanted to speak against the large confederate flag that is proposed to go up in northern Orange County, and the group that is proposing these in every county. She said this group is promoting white supremacy, and mega-size racist symbols are being used as mega-size racist statements. She said Orange County Schools (OCS) has shown leadership on this issue, and the Board of County Commissioners can do the same. Emily Elstad said she wanted to speak out against the large confederate flag that is proposed to go up close to her home. She said she is worried about her property values, tourism, and the people of color who will have to drive past this symbol daily, two of whom are her children. She said this is a 20 x 30 foot flag on a 90-foot pole, which her family will be able to see from its back yard. She said neither she nor her children want to see this symbol of hatred. She said movement around the confederate flag is often sluggish, and she urged the BOCC to consider how it would act if this group was going to put up a swastika or a flag of male genitalia. Amy Halberstatt said she is in awe of the speeches that have come before her, and she has flags at home but this flag and its size, is a symbol of hatred and racism. She said she has concerns for all that would see this flag, and how it would reflect on Orange County. She said erecting this flag will not be helpful to Orange County in any possible way. David Neal said he is concerned about the idea of a mega-size symbol of hate going up in Orange County. He said he agrees the UDO should be used to limit the size of this symbol, and any other symbol, on residential property. He said if there any ambiguity within the UDO, he hopes the BOCC will work with the Planning Department to remove it, and any doubt, moving forward. Julia Sendor said she is here because of the young people with whom she works. She said she never thought seriously about the confederate flag until she started working with middle and high school students. She said many young people of color “just shut down” when they see a flag such as this. She said the County has the tools to govern in a way that protects public health and welfare. Sarah Cross said she is speaking against the confederate flag that may be put up in northern Orange County. She said this flag is stained with murder. She said she is a descendant of southern families and confederate flags. She does not want a mega-sized confederate flag in Orange County, or anywhere else in the country. Erik Johnson said he is a retired minister in Chapel Hill, and he stands in opposition of any flag of this type. He said symbols are powerful, and the confederate flag is a symbol of reality that is horrifying to him, and one in which he does not want to participate. He said when he sees this flag throughout the country he trembles and is chilled. He said he feels pain and terror, and he is white; he can only imagine how people of color must feel. He said other areas have removed this flag, and Orange County can do the same. Chair Dorosin said this is a matter of concern, and the Board has asked John Roberts to look in some of these issues, and will ask him to look at more of these after tonight. He said the public has spoken very eloquently about all the elements of this issue, and he said the Board of County Commissioners is taking this matter very seriously. Commissioner McKee said it is a two-prong approach: the Sons of Confederate Veterans is the group that is intent on putting one flag in every county; and the group that is based in Alamance County wants to put up 4 flags in Orange County specifically. Commissioner Jacobs said about 15 years ago, the Sons of Confederate Veterans approached the Board of County Commissioners requesting that the confederate Memorial Day be a County holiday. He said German soldiers fighting for Germany in WW2 were fighting for the Nazis, and their actions were therefore immoral. He said confederate soldiers were the same. He said the confederate flag has been used to protest racial reconciliation and the institution of equal civil rights.