At a busy Tuesday night meeting, the Orange County Board of Commissioners discussed items ranging from recycling to the death penalty.
First on the agenda, commissioners debated a resolution to repeal the death penalty. Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Durham have all passed resolutions opposing capital punishment.
Commissioner Mark Dorosin stressed to other commissioners the importance of the proposed resolution. He said the resolution could help bring justice to North Carolina.
“The death penalty is immoral and unconstitutional. We should not be afraid of having too much justice,” he said.
Commissioner Penny Rich strongly voiced her support of the resolution, saying it aligned with the views of most Orange County citizens.
“We are doing it for this generation and for the next generation,” Rich said. “I believe a majority of the folks in Orange County support this resolution and that’s why I support it.”
But not all commissioners supported the resolution. Commissioner Earl McKee said he wanted to speak out for those in Orange County that support the death penalty.
“Some crimes are so immoral and egregious that I believe the death penalty should be used,” McKee said.
After a spirited debate, the resolution passed in a 6-1 vote
The board also held a public hearing to evaluate operation and funding ideas for Orange County’s recycling and solid waste programs.
County Manager Frank Clifton outlined the following three options for the county’s recycling program:
- Create an authority to operate waste and recycle management independently of the county.
- Impose a tax on county residents to fund waste management services.
- Eliminate the county’s curbside recycling program. This proposal was rejected by the board.
The board reaffirmed its desire to have a long term solution by July 1, 2014.
Finally, the board approved three new fire districts, as well as new boundaries for three existing fire districts. The fire district plans will be passed along to the county fire marshal.
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