Today’s batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal:
Question: After witnessing the recent and frankly long-overdue public outcry demanding the removal of Confederate statues and other signage, I am wondering if anyone is looking at other areas that need to be addressed — such as holidays. There are 10 official North Carolina state holidays. Is it really still appropriate to celebrate Robert E. Lee's birthday or the Confederate Memorial Day? And, as a relatively recent resident of North Carolina, can you tell me why we celebrate Greek Independence Day? Who is responsible for determining what days are holidays? And how do you go about getting holidays changed/deleted/added?
My answer: First of all, have you never had Greek food? It's over-the-moon delicious, my friend. And secondly, I'm all in favor of as many holidays as possible. I'm pushing for a "COVID-19/2020 Worst Year Ever" holiday as we speak.
Real answer: So, this reader's information was a little off. We do not have a state-sanctioned Greek Independence Day holiday, for instance, or one for Robert E. Lee's birthday.
The North Carolina Office of State Human Resources keeps track of all this, and spokeswoman Jill Lucas helped with answers.
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"Per the State Human Resources Act, the State Human Resources Commission is charged with establishing a holiday schedule to include 12 paid holidays per year for state employees, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Veterans Day and three days for Christmas," Lucas said.
The calendar of paid state holidays is available here: https://ift.tt/3jLqW3L
The official list includes these holidays for 2020:
New Year's Day (Jan. 1), Martin Luther King Jr. birthday (Jan. 20), Good Friday (April 10), Memorial Day (May 25), Independence Day (July 3), Labor Day, Sept. 7), Veterans Day (Nov. 11), Thanksgiving (Nov. 26, 27), Christmas (Dec. 24, 25 and 28).
I think part of the reader's confusion — because we do not have holidays for Greek Independence, Robert E. Lee's birthday or "Confederate" Memorial Day — stems from the source used.
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"The resource your reader referenced, ELH Employment Law Handbook, lists a number of observances for North Carolina that are not consistent with state policy," Lucas said.
As far as how to get a state holiday recognized, that would have to go through the General Assembly.
"If an individual wished for the state to consider adding or substituting observances, they would be welcome to make their position known to their state legislator," Lucas said.
Question: I saw on social media a picture of the Little Pigs BBQ sign on McDowell Street and it read, "We serve pork. We do not serve sheep, so take off the stupid mask." Was this for real? Or did they get spoofed again online?
My answer: For the record, sheep barbecue is a violation of state law in North Carolina, not to mention the laws of man.
Real answer: This is probably the most-spoofed sign around here, mainly because it does have a message board on it that can be easily manipulated in Photoshop.
"It is a hack online. It is not our sign," Store Manager Matt Thomas told me Sept. 2. "If you want proof, you can come by and take a look. Our sign is black. This one (in the picture) is white."
The online sign shenanigans, Thomas said, happens "all the time."
I wrote about another spoofing back in October 2018, when the sign allegedly had words critical of President Trump. It too was an online fake.
As far as mask-wearing, I can also verify that employees inside the restaurant were all wearing masks on Sept. 2, as were customers, other than those eating.
This is the opinion of John Boyle. To submit a question, contact him at 232-5847 or jboyle@citizen-times.com
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The Link LonkSeptember 04, 2020 at 04:00PM
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Answer Man: Greek Independence Day a state holiday? Little Pigs sign faked again? - Citizen Times
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