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26 <br /> 1 g. Discussion on the Renaming of UNC Student Stores in Honor of James Cates <br /> 2 <br /> 3 Chair Price reminded the Board that this item was added at the beginning of the meeting <br /> 4 by Commissioner Dorosin. She said there is a petition being circulated to rename the Student <br /> 5 Stores Building at UNC, formerly named after Josephus Daniels, in honor of James Cates, who <br /> 6 was murdered there 50 years ago. <br /> 7 Commissioner Greene said she understands the concern about the lack of a public <br /> 8 hearing, but this petition is asking the Commissioners to speak with a collective voice. She said <br /> 9 she has personally added her name, and feels strongly it would be a very important and good <br /> 10 gesture to name this building after James Cates. She said the nation is in a time of racial <br /> 11 reckoning, and this is an important gesture and she thinks the Board should lend its support. <br /> 12 Commissioner Bedford said she also added her name personally, but is concerned the <br /> 13 Board is getting out of its lane by supporting a building name change at a separate institution. <br /> 14 She said it may not be appropriate for the BOCC to weigh in on the University's decision. <br /> 15 Chair Price said the University is changing the names for several buildings, with more to <br /> 16 come. She said she expects many names to be submitted for those various buildings on <br /> 17 campus. <br /> 18 Commissioner Dorosin said he does not think the Board is getting out of its lane, and is <br /> 19 not telling anyone what to do, but is rather letting the Board's position be known. He said the <br /> 20 BOCC has taken repeated public stands about racial equity and against white supremacy. He <br /> 21 said James Cates was murdered by white supremacists, and the people pushing for this change <br /> 22 are longtime residents and constituents. He said there is MLK Jr. quote that is pertinent, but <br /> 23 ultimately, this is a situation where the BOCC cannot afford to be silent. <br /> 24 Chair Price said the quote is silence is violence. <br /> 25 Commissioner Hamilton read portions of the email sent to the Board soliciting its <br /> 26 endorsement of the petition. She agreed with Commissioner Dorosin, and said this is an <br /> 27 endorsement, as a body supporting the renaming of the building. She said the Board has <br /> 28 passed many resolutions as part of the push for racial reckoning and this endorsement is in line <br /> 29 with those actions. <br /> 30 Commissioner McKee said he did not say he had any issue with not having public <br /> 31 comment. <br /> 32 Chair Price said it was she who brought up the question of whether public comment was <br /> 33 necessary. <br /> 34 Commissioner Dorosin clarified the quote of which he was speaking. <br /> 35 <br /> 36 A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Greene, for <br /> 37 the Board to endorse the petition to rename the UNC Student Stores after James Cates. <br /> 38 <br /> 39 Commissioner Fowler said she supported the petition personally, and is also in favor of <br /> 40 the Board endorsing it as a body. <br /> 41 Chair Price said she to supported the petition personally, and James Cates' story will be <br /> 42 a part of the exhibition at the Visitor's Bureau. <br /> 43 <br /> 44 Roll call ensued. <br /> 45 <br /> 46 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 47 <br /> 48 <br />