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James Ward is a member of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans in Chapel Hill. He came before the Board with a proposed proclamation declaring the month of May as Confederate History Month. He read the proclamation, as follows: Whereas, on May 20, 1861 the State of North Carolina seceded from the Federal Union and became part of the Confederate States of America; and Whereas, at least 2000 men from Orange County fought for the Confederacy and a quarter of these died in defense of their homes; and Whereas, the women and children and elderly of Orange County suffered hardship and privation during this period; and Whereas, all citizens of Orange County should study the history of this period so they will have a better understanding of this tragic time, and Whereas, since every generation should honor the generations in their past it is only right and proper that we should officially recognize the sacrifice and fortitude of the people of Orange County who lived and died during the War Between the States. Therefore, we the Orange County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim the Month of May hereafter as Confederate History Month and proclaim that the First National Flag of the Confederacy be flown from the Courthouse on the 10th of that month. James Ward said that there were descendants of Confederate soldiers with him tonight. He said that there is much to be proud of in the history of Orange County during the years of 1861-1865. Many of these men left to fight and several hundred did not return. He said that Confederate Veterans used to be honored in almost every community in the south. They feel it is incumbent upon everyone to show respect for these veterans. He urged the County Commissioners to approve this proclamation. Garland Neville of 1550 Windy Ridge Road, Chapel Hill agreed with James Ward’s comments. He was raised in Carrboro and joined the Sons of the Confederate Veterans in Chapel Hill two years ago. His great uncle served and was captured and released after the war. He said that this was part of his heritage and he asked for the County Commissioners to consider this matter of the proclamation. David Patterson said that he is a native of Orange County and a direct descendant of John Patterson, who was one of the founders of Orange County. John Patterson was his great, great, great, great grandfather and two of his sons served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He spoke on behalf of John Patterson’s great-grandson, his great- grandfather, Robert Donald Patterson, who served in the Army of the Confederate States of America. He gave additional history of his ancestors. He said that these men did not fight for slavery, but for the rights of sovereign states that govern themselves. He would like to remember and honor these men by declaring the month of May as Confederate History Month in Orange County. Chair Carey said that the County Commissioners would take this under advisement. He agrees that all of the citizens of Orange County should study the history of this period. Mary Bushnell is a resident of Orange County and a member of the ChildSCope Advisory Committee. She said that ChildSCope includes programs for young children with mental health interventions. She said that she has been active in the schools and childcare organizations and issues, and she said that child mental health is a very important service. She said that Orange County was fortunate that the County Commissioners and the County government have made resources available for mental health initiatives. This has allowed programs to develop in Orange County that are proactive and meet the needs of the citizens. She made reference to the divestiture of the mental health system and the major changes that are about to happen in this system. She said that services for children may not be able to continue unless there are funds earmarked for this. She made reference to the packet, which