It seems a dancer asked by the owners of Carr Mill Mall to stop
dancing on its lawn is the only person in Carrboro who understands the
meaning of private property. The mayor and most aldermen haven’t a
clue. Here’s dancer Bruce Thomas’ reaction to the decision:

“There are those who love me and those who don’t. If I go to someone’s house and they don’t want me there, I’ll leave.”

Meanwhile, the elected officials of Carrboro reacted thusly, according to The Herald-Sun:


Petitions were circulated, businesses at the Carr Mill Mall were
threatened with boycotts and dozens of angry citizens sent letters to
Carr Mill manager Nathan Milian.


Even town officials got involved. Shortly after the incident Mayor Mark
Chilton held a meeting with Milian, encouraging him to let Thomas
dance. Two members of the Board of Aldermen also spoke out in support.

Note that “in support” actually means “against
the rights of property owners to decide what happens on their
property.” Those two aldermen were socialist/greeny Dan Coleman and
Jacquelyn Gist. Here’s Gist’s take in The Herald-Sun:


The idea of Thomas’ dancing has taken on a life of its own and for some
people is now symbolic of the town’s creative spirit, explained
Alderman Jacquelyn Gist.


“It’s not just that I’m a fan of Bruce,” Gist said. “It’s about
deciding who can and can’t dance or Hula-Hoop or sing or whatever in a
very public place.”


Although Gist concedes the Weaver Street lawn is private property, she
says its use as a meeting place gives it a more “public” personality.

I wonder if it has occurred to Gist that this
is the precise reason that Milian is trying to reassert the “private
personality” of his property, which has been usurped by various
vendors, street performers, jugglers and mimes over time.