Minutes 09-01-2020 Virtual Business Meeting

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43 Commissioner McKee said wearing patriotism on one's sleeve would be reciting the pledge at every meeting, and that is why he is only recommending doing so 4 times a year. He said the pledge holds meaning for him. He said he is not forcing anyone to recite it, as his motion specifically says doing so is optional. He said he does not disparage anyone who chooses not to recite it. Chair Rich stated that Commissioner Price asked if staff would look at how other local boards handle the recitation of the pledge, and staff discovered that no other local board does so. Commissioner Dorosin said he appreciates the conversation, and has thought a lot about this topic. He said he, too, is grateful to live in this country, and takes his obligations to the Board and the County very seriously. He said foremost among the rights given by the constitution is the right to dissent. He said reciting the pledge at BOCC meetings has a compulsory air to it, and risks alienating those that choose not to do so. He said it would place pressure on those in attendance to participate. He said when the statement "under God" was added in 1954, the pledge went from being a secular statement to an endorsement of religion, and, in his opinion, violated the separation between church and state. He said in 1943, the US Supreme Court struck down a law compelling students to recite the pledge. He said he feels a great allegiance to this country, but does not feel residents should be required to make compulsory pledges. Commissioner Marcoplos said he agreed completely with Commissioner Dorosin's comments. Commissioner Greene said the motion does not require participation, and this will not be a group of impressionable school children, but rather adults who can do as their hearts convict. She said reciting the pledge allows a reclaiming of the roots of what this country stands for. She said the pledge should not have been captured by the right in culture wars, and her position is unchanged. Commissioner Price said she can go either way, and she has never felt compelled to say the pledge. She said she has never experienced stigma for not reciting the pledge, and she feels Commissioner McKee's proposal is a compromise. She said North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), National Association of Counties (NACo) meetings and Democratic Party meetings start with the Pledge. Commissioner Bedford said she is torn. She said the original presentation of this item had an air of shame about it, but the current motion is a compromise. She said she would recite the pledge, but would do so on her own. Commissioner Rich said she is not one that supports saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and has often felt judged for not doing so. She said the addition of"under God" made it problematic for her to recite. She said this item was brought to the Board as a scolding, and she does not like that. She said there is not justice for all in this country, and the pledge is not changing that. She said she loves her country, but will not support this motion. Commissioner Greene said there was once a debate over flag burning, and she is happy to uphold one's right to do so as a matter of political protest. She said the pledge is full of words that promote unity and aspirational ideals for which the BOCC is fighting. Commissioner Price said her agreement to compromise was not in support of the original petitioner, but rather in support of Commissioner McKee's reasonable compromise. Commissioner Bedford said if this issue is deeply upsetting to some, she would rather respect that by voting no. She said those in favor of reciting the pledge can do so whenever they feel moved. Chair Rich asked Commissioners to accept a roll call form of voting and called names accordingly.