Local news- Press Release
Town of Chapel Hill North Carolina - A Message from Mayor Anderson 26 January 2024 ( news )
Town of Chapel Hill , state North Carolina ( By Press Release office)
Jan 26,2024
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Chapel Hill Community ,
It is hard to believe that a month has gone by since my first Mayor’s Message to you all . Since then , Council has held our first work session and general business meeting of the year . Next week , we will hold our annual retreat . In upcoming months , our focus will be on the rewrite of Chapel Hill’s land use ordinances and our budget . I’ll keep you apprised on both as we continue this work .
Today , I want to take this opportunity to reach out to everyone regarding concerns we are hearing from residents about the conflict in Gaza . In particular , I want to address the question of a resolution , which has been put forward to us .
On Wednesday , during our meeting , Town Council had a number of individuals come out to speak to us on this matter . Knowing that this conflict is causing concern for many people in our community I want to share with everyone why Council is choosing not to issue a resolution .
First and foremost , I want to acknowledge the deep pain , worry , fear , and anger that this awful situation is causing for people across our community and in our own organization . As a council , our job is to look out for the health , safety , and well - being of our entire community . So , the impact that this is having weighs deeply on all of us .
Since last Fall we have been hearing from individuals on all sides of this issue . This has included calls for a resolution asking for a ceasefire , calls for a resolution in support of Israel , and emails from individuals asking us to stay out of the issue entirely .
For the Town Council and our community , resolutions are an important advocacy tool . We choose the issues we weigh in on with great care and , as a matter of practice , do not weigh in on matters that are outside of our areas of expertise or authority . When we do choose to issue a resolution , we work together to make sure that it reflects the interests of our community and , typically , council is unanimous in our support .
In this situation – where our community is deeply conflicted , and the issues are very complex – a resolution is not what is needed . Instead , as we have seen in other communities that have already passed a resolution , doing so could serve to add to the divide and the pain .
As a board , we look for ways to make our community stronger and bring people closer together . To that end , we want to reiterate that we share your deep concerns .
We all want an end to the horrific violence
We all want the safe return of hostages
We all want everyone to have access to basic necessities — shelter , food and water
We all want long - lasting peace
Here at home , we want everyone to feel welcome and safe when they go about their daily lives . Sadly , the spillover of this war thousands of miles away is causing people here to feel unsafe . That is something that we cannot let happen .
I know that this is not the answer that some people want to hear and I recognize that people want the Town Council to do something . In recent weeks , I have been in conversations with many people in our community about ways to bring people together to listen to one another and about resources to support those in our community who are struggling .
As we continue to navigate this painful and complex situation , I urge everyone to show respect for one another .
Sincerely ,
Mayor Jess
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