Commissioner Pack, who placed the item on the agenda, said he followed the rules in placing the item on the agenda “to a tee.” He said if the resolution is removed it means that anytime there is a majority of the board it will be impossible for a commissioner not in that majority, in this case for a Republican, to get anything on the floor.
“If you vote this off the agenda, it is a ‘no’ vote (from you) for the amendment,” Pack said.
McDermott said it is not a ‘no’ vote, but that it is inappropriate for the board to take a position where good and honest people differ in their opinions on what is right.
“And to say that taking that position means a ‘no’ vote simply is uncalled for,” McDermott said.
Walker said she leaves the decision up to the voters of the state.
“It is not up to me as your elected official, your local government representative, to make a recommendation on this issue,” Walker said. “It is inappropriate for this board of commissioners, who move and act as one body, to endorse this issue; for or against. We have no business being in your business, your belief system or your ballot box.”
Walker also said when reading the title of the resolution, she had no problem voting in favor because it states, “in support of participation.” She said the paragraph saying the Polk County Board of Commissioners endorses the amendment caused her concern.
Owens said he disagrees that commissioners are telling residents how to vote.
“(The resolution) is saying we endorse it,” said Owens, “not saying you have to endorse it.”
Pack said Polk is not the first county to have the resolution on the agenda and named five other counties, including McDowell and Wake County, as well as the town of Spruce Pine, all of which have approved resolutions in support of the amendment.
“This amendment is very important to the people of Polk County,” Pack said. “It is a belief that people have had for years. We are a nation founded on Christian values.”
Pack said the resolution is in support of participation and he thinks commissioners need to encourage residents to get out and vote and take a stand for what is right or what is wrong.
Same-sex marriage is currently banned in North Carolina.
Amendment 1 will be on the May 8 primary ballot asking citizens to vote on whether the constitution should include an amendment that the only legal or recognized union in North Carolina should be defined as between one man and one woman.
Look for more coverage on Monday’s county commissioner meeting, including the resolution that was removed from the agenda in Friday’s edition of the Bulletin.