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11 <br /> 1 <br /> 2 Renee Price, Chair <br /> 3 Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> 4 <br /> 5 <br /> 6 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to <br /> 7 approve and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation recognizing and expressing <br /> 8 appreciation to Thom Freeman-Stuart for his service to the people of Orange County and <br /> 9 wishing him well in his retirement. <br /> 10 <br /> 11 Roll call ensued <br /> 12 <br /> 13 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 14 <br /> 15 Laura Jensen expressed her thanks to Thom Freeman-Stuart for helping her get <br /> 16 established in this new role. <br /> 17 Commissioner Dorosin said Thom Freeman-Stuart did a great job, and always did it with <br /> 18 grace, enthusiasm and a positive attitude <br /> 19 Commissioner Bedford said she knows Thom Freeman-Stuart will not miss the late night <br /> 20 meetings, and she could not keep all of the advisory boards and commission information <br /> 21 straight without him. <br /> 22 Chair Price said Thom Freeman-Stuart always worked with a smile, and did his job with <br /> 23 ease, a sense of humor and a sense of calm. She thanked him for all of his work. <br /> 24 Thom Freeman-Stuart said he was overwhelmed with his item coming after Judge <br /> 25 Scarlett, whom he respects. He said government work fell into his lap thanks to former Animal <br /> 26 Services director Bob Marotto. He said he is confident in the new Clerk and her staff. He said <br /> 27 after moving to Hillsborough, he and his husband were able to get married in front of the old <br /> 28 Orange County courthouse, and many of the employees from Orange County came to the <br /> 29 wedding. He said he never thought that would happen in his lifetime. He said he is grateful to <br /> 30 have had the opportunity to work at the County. <br /> 31 <br /> 32 Commissioner McKee joined the meeting at 8:00 p.m. <br /> 33 <br /> 34 c. Fair Housing Month Proclamation <br /> 35 The Board considered voting to approve a proclamation designating April 2021 as Fair <br /> 36 Housing Month in Orange County, North Carolina. <br /> 37 Annette Moore, Human Rights and Relations Director, introduced the item and <br /> 38 discussed how the different resolutions the board passes fit together. She highlighted <br /> 39 information from the background described in the agenda: <br /> 40 <br /> 41 BACKGROUND: <br /> 42 The month of April is National Fair Housing Month. April 2021 will mark the 53rd anniversary of <br /> 43 the enactment of the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the 27th anniversary Fair Housing <br /> 44 portion of the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance. These laws grant every person a right to <br /> 45 live where they choose, free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, <br /> 46 religion, familial status, or disability. The Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance, established in <br /> 47 1987, adds additional protection from discrimination based on age and veterans status. <br /> 48 <br /> 49 The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development has chosen "Fair Housing: <br /> 50 More Than Just Words" as the 2021 Fair Housing Month theme. The chosen theme addresses <br /> 51 the idea that ending discrimination in housing is more than providing equal housing <br />