Minutes 06-21-2022 Business Meeting

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20 end up in the hands of people who use it to promote their own interests...One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions, rather than their results." Karen Raines said 1,000 feet is restrictive of freedom of speech and assembly. She said both are outlined and protected in the Constitution. She said that in another discussion in this topic, someone mentioned other counties joining the voices from Orange County and that those outside voices should not be heard. She said that those voices that are here are here to oppose an injustice that if permitted, would then spread to other counties. She said that freedom of speech must not be limited geographically. She paraphrased a quote circa post World War II stating "First they came for the [fill in the blank with a group of people,] but I did not speak out for them because I was not of them. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak up for them because I am not a Jew. Then, they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me." Charles Lopez said he is the Republican candidate for State House District 50 and the state chairman for the Hispanic GOP outreach. He said that he went to school for public administration and his professor said that as a public administrator, they try to do the most good. He said this is doing the most harm. He said that as a public administrator, when he sees the public coming out with this much passion, he has some doubt that this is not the best time to adopt this ordinance. He said that maybe it is not the right wording to accomplish their noble intent of protecting children. He said there is power in the constituents sitting here today. He asked them to reject the ordinance if they have any doubt. Robert Thomas said this is part of the great American experiment. He said that the forefathers established a system years ago that allows people to come forward to a place and discuss their disagreements about ideas. He said this is the genius of the American system at work. He said the Board has rights as well as parents and students. He said that greater rights have to be with parents because they are ultimately responsible for raising good citizens. He said that he would bet that every parent there tonight believes they have a solemn duty to raise good citizens and that is why they are here. He said that protests are not just opportunities to raise objections but are also an opportunity to reach out to likeminded people. He said that the protests are not endangering children. He said that he takes the point of Mr. Roberts that it is not a traditional public forum but when you have a situation where parents are feeling that the very core curriculum of the school is antithetical to their children, then he contends that they have a right to come and assemble peaceably because the First Amendment gives them the right to. He said that he does not support the court rulings that seem to be unconstitutional. He said that they need to support parents because they are the backbone of society, and they should have the opportunity to object in the place of their choice. Rusty Toley said he has never been to a meeting before. He said that he hears all the parents say the same thing and then he looks at the Constitution and realizes that it is not supported. He said that he feels bad for the Commissioners. He said the decision the Board makes tonight affects everyone here and the future of the county. He said he likes living here and asked them to do the right thing and vote against this. Commissioner McKee asked if John Roberts was aware of law enforcement action on any of the protests to arrest or remove any of the folks. John Roberts said that when he spoke to Sheriff Blackwood about this potential ordinance several months ago, he said that he or his deputies did not encounter any illegal activity at, what he believes, was the protest or demonstration that led to this ordinance discussion. Commissioner McKee said that is the same discussion he had with the Sheriff. He asked Mr. Roberts if he had heard of any physical altercations or if any harm came to anyone at any of the demonstrations.