Minutes 05-15-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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12 Robert Randall said John Roberts said that Orange County cannot regulate the content of flags, because that content falls under the first amendment right to free speech. He said this whole issue would not be discussed if it were not for the Confederate flag on Highway 70. He says he has no affinity for the Confederate flag, and has no desire to fly one on his own property, but he feels this proposed amendment is limiting of free speech. He said the flag is offensive to some, but being offended should never trump constitutional rights. He asked the Board to table this issue, and said Orange County has gotten along fine without this ordinance. He said limiting free speech could cause many more flags to be flown around Orange County in protest. Heather Redding said landownership does not bestow unlimited rights. She said the 2nd amendment does not extend to children or those with criminal records, and one’s right to vote can be taken away. She said the right to free speech is not unlimited in scope. She said the current UDO already limits what can be done on one’s property in regards to signage, and has for years, without complaint or threats of lawsuits. She asked the Board of County Commissioners to approve the proposed amendment. Nan Fulcher said she is from Orange County, and she supports the text amendment. She said the regulation addresses the messages that are on display in the community. She said all messages affect us, regardless of where they are or what they say. She said Orange County has carefully regulated signage over the years, which has resulted in the area being less burdened by the blight of unrestricted, in your face signage that many communities have suffered. She said regulation is balanced by the needs of the economy, the government and the people. She said free speech is not an unconditional right, and this proposed amendment only limits flag size, not content or nature. L.A. Elvin said the dimensions of the property on which he lives will preclude him from flying his flag. He said he spent a few hundred dollars to erect his flagpole, and flies the National colors and the Marine Corps flag. He said he is confused after hearing this evening’s presentation, and does not know if he can continue to fly his flag or not. John Roberts said one of the recommendations is to reduce the setback from 50 feet to 20 feet for smaller lots. Commissioner Rich told Mr. Elvin that the County will work with him to solve this issue. Olivia Strong (Ms. Redding read a statement on behalf of Olivia Strong): The Confederate flag on 70 is affecting the community and families. It’s not right to see such large symbols. Large symbols affect the children. Ashley Campbell said she is a Hillsborough resident, and noted that there is an FAQ about this topic on the County website, as if the ordinance has already been approved. She said she agreed with some of the other comments that the progressive communities are trying to destroy the public commemoration of the Confederacy. She said it is clear to all that this ordinance was introduced to limit a particular flag because it is intimidating. She said the Confederate flag is intimidating, and has a terrible legacy behind it, but as a conservative that lives in Orange County, she was intimidated by the letter from Orange County that was sent out after President Trump was elected, implying that conservatives were not welcome in Orange County. She said she could have been intimidated at a Human Relations Commission (HRC) event last summer about the flag issue in the schools. She said the HRC meeting that took place a couple of weeks ago was not well promoted, and it became a progressive activists rally. She reminded the BOCC that its job as elected officials is to protect everyone’s rights. Dylan Mole said he is a UNC student, and supports the proposed text amendment. He said the rebel flags are dangerous distractions to drivers, and massive symbols of white supremacy that have no place in an inclusive community. He said the most prominent party that opposes the regulation of flag sizes is ACTBAC NC, and this organization is responsible for putting the rebel flags in their current location. He said ACTBAC is a Southern Poverty Law