HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990_05_17 Human Rights Commission Minutes TOWN OF MAMARONECK HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION hh
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Date: May 17, 1990 MA� 0
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From: Lee H. Bloom, Secretary, Pro-Tem
Subject: Town of Mamaroneck, Human Rights Commission
Minutes of Regular Meeting, April 23, 1990
Present: Cora Rust, Chair; Helga Bendix; Lee Bloom;
Mary McDonald; Ian Spier; Kathleen T. O'Flinn,
Town Councilwoman
The minutes of the March 26th meeting were approved.
On March 27th, Mr. Spier distributed copies of the letters he had sent
to Tom Reca, School Board President, and to Norman Colb,
Superintendent. He reported that no response had been received from
either of these gentlemen. It was noted that vacation had intervened.
Mr. Spier asked for a consensus as to whether we should follow-up by
telephone or wait for an additional period. Mrs. Bendix suggested that
perhaps we should ask to appear at a workshop meeting of the Board of
Education rather than a regular meeting. Mr. Spier pointed out that we
had asked in the letters to appear at ANY meeting in the near future.
Mr. Bloom suggested a brief follow-up note saying that we realize
vacation intervened and we would welcome a reply.
Mrs. Rust reported that she had referred the complaint about a Taxi
Dispatcher at Larchmont Station to Jose de Lasa, Chair of the Village
of Larchmont Human Rights Commission, and that he is looking into it.
After Larchmont completes its investigation and reports back, a joint
letter from all three (3) commissions will be written to all taxi
companies serving the area to caution against discriminatory actions by
their employees/agents.
Mrs. Bendix questioned whether it was appropriate to mention the name
of the complainant in the minutes since they are a public document and
may expose the complainant to retaliatory actions. The complainant is
employed in the area and must use taxi service to get to the place of
employment.
After some discussion, Mr. Spier emphasized that the basis principles
of the justice system is a democracy require that the accused be faced
by the accuser. Mrs. Rust pointed out that the complainant had in fact
stated that she was making a formal complaint and was willing to
testify to the events reported so the issue of privacy is not
applicable to this case in any event. There may be cases where our
discussions properly can be confidential but these must be considered
on a case by case basis.
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Mrs. Rust reported that she had advised the complainant that she had
sent the complaint file to Mr. deLasa; copies were also sent to Mayor
Curnin and Supervisor Silverstone for information.
Mrs. Rust reported that the bill had been received for annual
membership in the New York State Association of Human Rights
Commissions_
Councilwoman O'Flinn asked the Commission when they wished to present
the Peter Fousek, Martin Luther King Day Award plaque to the Town. It
was agreed that the presentation would take place at the May 16th Town
Board Meeting and that if possible the item; would be placed first on
the Agenda.
Mrs. Spier mentioned the vacancy on the Commission due to the
resignation of Sheryl Dicker. He suggested that the vacancy be
announced at the Town Board meeting and that interested members of the
public be invited to submit their names for consideration.
Councilwoman O'Flinn agreed to mention the vacancy and the interest in
submission of names to the reporters at the meeting.
Mrs. Rust mentioned the need to write to the Governor's office to
follow up on the letters to the Martin Luther King awardees that were
promised to us by his representative at the ceremony.
Mrs. Rust also mentioned that when we meet with the Board of Education,
we should also talk about the necessary coordination in organizing the
Martin Luther King Day program, so that school participation will be
appropriate and of high quality. She also reminded the Commission that
at the next Commission meeting we should settle on a theme for the
Martin Luther King program next year.
It was agreed that due to the Memorial Day holiday on May 28th, the
next meeting of the Commission will be held on Monday, May 21st at 8:00
PM.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM.
Lee H. Bloom
Secretary Pro-Tem
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