Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
34 <br /> 1 that she still goes back to those comments and wonders if there is a way to make this when <br /> 2 students are around. <br /> 3 Chair Price said having a safe learning environment is core to a sound basic education. <br /> 4 She said the concern for her and where this originated was around the schools and how to <br /> 5 address this so that kids could come to school without being intimidated. She said she is a <br /> 6 proponent of free speech, but in a more appropriate location than in a place where children are <br /> 7 impacted. She said she likes the five hundred feet from a school but maybe the distance could <br /> 8 be 1,000 feet. <br /> 9 Commissioner Richards said to go that far, the ordinance needs to cover all protests. <br /> 10 She said they have gotten complaints about one side being treated one way. She said the <br /> 11 section about schools should just be more specific. <br /> 12 Commissioner Greene said she is thinking of how to separate a parade from picketing. <br /> 13 She said if there is a parade, there is an organizer, but that is not always true for picketing. She <br /> 14 asked if this would require a permit for picketing. <br /> 15 John Roberts said no permits are required for picketing, but notice is required. <br /> 16 Commissioner Greene asked who would give the notice. <br /> 17 John Roberts said the event organizer, but that he will confirm that. <br /> 18 Commissioner Greene said pickets are by nature often spontaneous and sometimes do <br /> 19 not have an organizer or the chance to provide notice. She said she trying to figure out how this <br /> 20 would work so that law enforcement has advance notice of the events, and everyone can know <br /> 21 the rules. <br /> 22 Commissioner Hamilton said she is wondering about the process and asked how the <br /> 23 process works leading up to adoption. She said it seems more input is needed from the Sheriff <br /> 24 and the schools. <br /> 25 John Roberts said this does not require a public hearing. He said that the Board will <br /> 26 discuss it at work sessions, then discuss it at a business meeting, where the public can <br /> 27 comment, and then the ordinance can be adopted that night or a different night. He said that if <br /> 28 adopted, this would be a county ordinance and only applicable to areas in the county's <br /> 29 jurisdiction. <br /> 30 Commissioner McKee said he is fine with five hundred feet within schools and <br /> 31 playgrounds. He said he does have issues with the $500 fine and the language around private <br /> 32 property. <br /> 33 Chair Price asked about school property that is owned by the county but outside of the <br /> 34 jurisdiction. <br /> 35 John Roberts said county ordinances apply to county-owned property. <br /> 36 Chair Price asked about Central Elementary School. <br /> 37 John Roberts said that if the county has an ownership interest in Central Elementary this <br /> 38 would apply. He said that River Park is in Hillsborough town limits, and this would not apply <br /> 39 there. <br /> 40 Chair Price said she thinks they have ownership interest in Carrboro High School. <br /> 41 Commissioner Bedford said she thinks they have a 20-year ownership interest and that <br /> 42 the school is not that old yet. She asked if there was consensus about removing the parade <br /> 43 portion. <br /> 44 Chair Price said yes, and they have consensus with $500 feet. She asked that the draft <br /> 45 be sent to Sheriff Blackwood for review. <br /> 46 Commissioner Greene said she would like to have another work session with the Sheriff <br /> 47 present. <br /> 48 Chair Price said she agrees. <br /> 49 Commissioner Hamilton suggested inviting school staff and the school board to speak as <br /> 50 well. <br /> 51 <br />