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11 <br /> <br />John Roberts said that is correct. He said the pole is subject to the ordinance <br />immediately, but will not have to be removed and replaced unless it comes down by natural act <br />or if it is taken down. <br />Commissioner Rich asked if a compliant flag could be flown on an existing pole, and if <br />the height restriction only applies if a flagpole comes down for some reason and needs <br />replacing. <br />John Roberts said yes, that is the way it is written now, but it is subject to the Board’s <br />approval. <br /> <br />A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Price to <br />open the public hearing. <br /> <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> <br />PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> <br />Craig Carter thanked the Commissioners for serving on this board, and said his father <br />knew Commissioner McKee. He said he is a great-grandson of a Confederate soldier, and has <br />lost many relatives in past wars. He said the flag is not a racial issue, and the large flag that <br />has been a source of complaints is really a finger to the Board about the siting of the <br />forthcoming detention center. He said he understands both sides of the debate, and he does <br />not care. He said the flag that is flying is not a confederate flag, but a battle flag of Virginia. He <br />said the fire department in his district does not even fly a flag. He said rather than debating flag <br />issues, he would like an ambulance out in the northern part of the County. He said this flag <br />issue will go away, and there are more important things to be focusing on. He said there are a <br />lot of historical houses in downtown Hillsborough, and there are no monuments to the slaves <br />who built much of Orange County. He said it is a waste to be discussing issues like the size of <br />flags. <br />Alva Cravey said a town called Chapel Hill dominates the community, and the local <br />product is a University of North Carolina (UNC) graduate. She said she has worked at UNC for <br />24 years, and UNC is a public constitution, which is struggling with its legacy of elitism. She <br />said the school was built for the white sons of wealthy slave owners, and elitism is the reason <br />that there is a monument to the Confederacy on a pedestal. She said the monument on <br />campus has been a lightning rod for violence, and these mega size Confederate flags are part <br />of the problem. She said the Confederate monument was put up in 1913, as a reminder of the <br />Jim Crow order, and that all should remain in their place. She thanked the Board of County <br />Commissioners for their leadership in considering this ordinance. She said the public roadways <br />should be places that welcome all citizens, and this ordinance supports this. <br />James Ward said he is against this proposed ordinance. He said although the proposed <br />amendment is content neutral, he feels this is a transparent attempt to act against the 160 year <br />old confederate battle flag. He said the issue of giant flags never would have arisen if not for <br />actions and efforts in recent years to ban all things confederate in Orange County. He said <br />signs have been removed from buildings, Confederate items are no longer allowed in the <br />school systems, and there have been persistent attempts to remove the Confederate memorial <br />statue at UNC. He said the charge that these items are threatening is baseless, and the anti- <br />confederate movement has engendered a lot of resentment and anger within the community. <br />He said a reaction was predictable. He said Orange County desires to be diverse and <br />welcoming to all types, and he agrees with this sentiment. He said this attitude should be <br />extended to all residents; even those who wish only to honor the legacy and memory of <br />forefathers. He asked the BOCC to deny this proposed amendment.