By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
Following recent demonstrations at 201 N. Greensboro St., some Carrboro business owners are saying they have concerns not only about the demonstrations but also regarding the responses of some members of the Carrboro Board of Aldermen.
Debra Seaton, who owns the property at 203. N. Greensboro St., told the board last week that she felt statements made by some members of the board following the March 17 Guerrilla Gardening event staged by members of the Carrboro Commune group were inappropriate. Seaton’s property is under option for purchase by CVS Caremark, pending rezoning and conditional-use permit approval for a two-story development proposed for the corner, including Seaton’s property, 201 N. Greensboro St.
“I am extremely disappointed and bewildered by some of the statements made in the press by some of the members of the board of aldermen regarding the police presence,†Seaton said, adding that she witnessed no harassment of protesters by police. She said she asked police to protect her property during the demonstration, were it targeted by protesters, and expected them to do so.
Board members Dan Coleman and Sammy Slade told The Citizen that they were concerned with the number of police present at the Guerrilla Gardening event. One person was arrested for blocking traffic, but overall the demonstration was peaceful.
Other board members have said they supported the actions of police, given previous demonstrations at 201 N. Greensboro and at the former Yates Motor Co. building in Chapel Hill, in which buildings were illegally entered by protesters.
Some demonstrators have said they felt the police presence was oppressive, citing concerns with the amount of surveillance of protesters conducted by police.
Seaton said she felt it was inappropriate of the board to support the actions of protesters – some of whom had previously broken into the building at 201 N. Greensboro St. – over the rights of property and business owners.
“Allowing this behavior to almost have a town endorsement is incomprehensible,†she said. In an interview Friday, Seaton said board members whose politics interfered with their abilities to fulfill their oath of office should step down.
Seaton said she had spoken with a number of Carrboro business owners who shared her concerns and who “feel that they have almost completely lost control over business expansion and redevelopment of properties that they own.â€
Cliff Collins, owner of Cliff’s Meat Market, said he felt that board members needed to support police Chief Carolyn Hutchison, who he said is supported by many business owners.
“I think they need to go back and apologize to the police. If they don’t have a goal to do that, they need to go home and let somebody else take their place,†he said.
Collins said Seaton was speaking for a number of Carrboro business owners when she spoke before the board.
“We are all standing behind Debra Seaton,†he said.
Collins said he shared Seaton’s concern regarding control of his property. Should he want to sell his property – which he has no plans to do – Collins said he would likely face difficulty finding a buyer to pay its true value, since buyers know how difficult it can be to make changes to properties in Carrboro.
The board has said it will have a larger policy discussion with regard to civil disobedience.
Longtime Carrboro residents and business owners need to stand up and “take Carrboro back”! Our sweet town has blackened eyes and has become a subject of jokes and laughter. We have sat back and allowed disruptive people who have no respect for the police and personal property. I am proud of Debbie Seaton and encourage everyone that grew up in Carrboro to express your opinions and stand up and support your police department. They are an elite group and hey, you may really need them one day!
I’m a local business owner and long-time Carrboro resident and I am proud of Aldermen Slade and Coleman for defying political correctness to question the actions of the police department. If the police have enough funding to waste time on things like surveillance at political demonstrations, harassing people for posting fliers, and investigating graffiti — then perhaps that money could be put to better use somewhere else.
As a big fan of Carrboro for many years, as well as a landowner on Jones Ferry Rd, I find it sad to hear the frustrations being expressed by citizens from any “corner”. Where does Carrboro go from here? What does it want to be- to represent? I would hope anyone protesting would be coming from a desire to see Carrboro be its best, and to move creatively and inclusively into the future. I would hope that city leaders and police would have the same goals. Business leaders should feel their city supports them and understands their contributions to the whole. Artists, writers, etc. should feel welcome and appreciated and supported. Not a good time to retreat into enclaves of disagreement. Be glad Carrboro is the special place it is. With special people who can be different but respect the differences. Carrboro can become an even better place- are we ready and willing?