HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990_04_23 Human Rights Commission Minutes Date: April 23, 1990 T
RECEWED
From: Mary McDonald, Acting Secretary MAY 21 1990
Human Rights Commission
PATRICIA A.DICIDCCI0
TOWN CLERK
Subject: Minutes, Meeting March 26, 1990 MAMARONECK
N.Y.
Town Center, Senior Citizens Center
Present: Town of Mamaroneck Human Rights Commission Members:
Cora Rust, Chair; Lee Bloom; Sheila Crain
Judi Martin; Carmine Magazino; Mary McDonald;
Ian Spier; Kathleen O'Flinn, Town Councilwoman, Liaison
Village of Mamaroneck Human Rights Commission Members:
Andrea Potash, Chair; Sid Albert; Marie McKnight;
Peter Rosenbaum.
The meeting was called to order by Cora Rust. She welcomed the Village
of Mamaroneck Human Rights Commission members and expressed regrets
that a representative from the Larchmont Human Rights Commission was
not able to attend. Councilwoman Kathleen O'Flinn was welcomed as the
representative from the Town Council. It was announced that Sheryl
Dicker had resigned from the Town of Mamaroneck Human Rights Commission
board.
Cora Rust stated that the purpose of this meeting of the combined
boards was to continue discussion of the Martin Luther King,Jr.
commemoration. The minutes of the February 26, 1990 meeting at which
the discussion had been initiated was read. Andrea Potash reported
that the Emelin Theatre and an auxiliary roam had been booked for
January 16, 1991.
Commissioners have arrived at the fc"owing:
1. There is a need for a coordinator producer to work on next year's
presentation. This person should have time and knowledge to work
within the school systems.
Suggested: Judy Rozner, Alice Model, Dee O'Brien-Esposito, Allan
Scott, Mark Damagio, Arlene Feltenstein. Commissioners believe that
the school systems will see greater participation in next year's
celebration as an opportunity to expand their efforts in inter-cultural
education for students.
Peter Rosenbaum was given special thanks for his work this year with
the students in helping them to focus on a theme for their
presentation. He expressed the belief that more time was needed for
student preparation and more tools should be available to help them.
Commission members concurred.
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2. By the April or May meeting, next year's theme and format should be
established. Suggested thus far:
a. Material from "Eyes on the Prize II (Sid Albert has the tapes).
b. "Free at Last".
c. Non-violence as taught by Martin Luther King, Jr.
3. Cora Rust will prepare the letter to be sent to houses of worship,
etc. before the summer and Lee Bloom will write the press release
requesting nominations.
4. A committee of six commissioners will establish guidelines and
process for selecting Martin Luther King, Jr. awardee. Chairs of the
three commissions and one other member from each commission will form
this selection committee. Lee Bloom and Cora Rust will represent the
Town of Mamaroneck. Sid Albert and Andrea Potash will represent the
Village of Mamaroneck. The Village of Larchmont Human Rights
Commission will be contacted. Recommendations are to be made in May.
5. The date of next year's celebration is to be placed in the
Westchester African American History Month calendar of events. Andrea
Potash will call Selina Grissom for information.
6. Request of a grant from N.Y.S. Martin Luther King Commission should
once again be made.
Lee Bloom presented to the commissioners the Martin Luther King awardee
plaque affixed with the names of the two 1990 awardees The plaque is
to be hung in the Town Center. Kathleen O'Flinn suggested that a
formal presentation could be made at a future Town Board meeting.
Judi Martin spoke in favor of holding joint meetings. Commissioners
present agreed that there is value in working jointly.
The meeting agenda moved to a presentation by the Education Sub-
Committee. Ian Spier, Chair, reviewed the past meetings of the joint
commissioners with Norman Colb, Superintendent of the Mamaroneck school
system, Ronda Gersten, Assistant Superintendent and a school board
member. Also discussed were present school personnel openings and the
issue of the school district's failure to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther
King Day. Two letters attached herein were approved to be sent. One
letter to Norman Kolb and the other to Thomas Reca, Chair, Mamaroneck
School System, Board of Education. The letter to Mr. Reca requests a
meeting between the Board of Education and the Human Rights
Commissions.
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A complaint letter from Ms. Sara Catoe regarding her treatment by a
dispatcher of Leon's Taxi Service was reviewed. Because Leon's Taxi
Service is a business located in the Village of Larchmont, it was
decided that Cora Rust should:
1. Forward the letter to Jose de Lasa, Chair of the Village of
Larchmont Human Rights Commission with copies to Supervisor Silverstone
and Mayor Miriam Currin.
2. Send a letter to Ms. Sarah Catoe advising her of the disposition.
It was further discussed that perhaps there should be a joint Human
Rights Commission communication to taxi_ services in the three
municipalities reminding them that they are to service the public in a
nondiscriminatory manner.
The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
`7yi a....\ P rn%y 1.)a I.,40-0,
Mary McDonald
Acting Secretary