NorCo's Human Relations Comm'n Members Confirmed

At last night's meeting, Northampton County Council confirmed the following appointments to the newly established Human Relations Comm'n. 

Sylvia Keverenge Bethlehem, PA 18015 

Grace Crampsie Smith Bethlehem, PA 18018 

Peter Hristofas Easton, PA 18042 

Victoria Opthof-Cordaro Bethlehem, PA 18015 

Jessica Teel Sadler Wind Gap, PA 18091 

Marc Singer Easton, PA 18042 

Patricia Baranowski Wind Gap, PA 18091 

Reginald Belon Easton, PA 18042 

Thomas Raymond Dubreuil Bethlehem, PA 18020 

Arlene Ifill-Leon Easton, PA 18042 

Elena Kenney Bethlehem, PA 18018 

Ron Moyer Easton, PA 18042

I omitted precise mailing addresses. 

The vote was 8-0, with Council member Nadeem Qayyum abstaining (He said "absent"). Qayyum argued that the appointments should consist of "protected" classes, even though Council Solicitor Matt Deschler explained that we all can be considered a "protected" class, depending  on the circumstances. He wanted to know, as he did in a committee meeting the previous day, how many of the appointments were persons "of color." He asked Executive Tara Zrinski whether she went to churches and temples to recruit candidates, something she said she did not do or feel obliged to do. She said her picks were as diverse a group as she could possibly choose. 

Zrinski Declines to Specify Race, Religion or Gender Identity of Human Relations Comm'n Members

During yesterday's NorCo Council Personnel Committee hearing, attended by five Council members*, a list of 13 nominations for the newly established Human Relations Commission was considered. Since I can only go by phonetic spelling of some of these hopefuls, I'll forego naming them until tomorrow. Things were going smoothly until member Nadeem Qayyum decided he had some questions. 

Qayyum, who has a very annoying habit of refusing to use his mike, decided he wanted to know how many of these selections are persons of color and wanted to know details like religion, etc. 

Zrinski, who is increasingly getting irritated by questions that Qayyum has written out in advance because his English skills are so subpar, said she declines "to specifically identify who is ... who is a person of color, who is Muslim, who is gay, who's trans. I am supposed to identify those individuals on this list? I would think that that is almost discriminatory."

I'd say it is definitely discriminatory.

"For the record, I need to ask these questions," explained Qayyum.

"Sure, sure, sure, sure, sure sure," responded Zrinski. "For the record, I'm not going to specifically identify people."

In the desire to be inclusive, we often make the mistake of being exclusive. 

_____

* This meeting was attended by Council members Nadeem Qayyum, Jason Boulette, Tom Giovanni, Dave Holland and Kelly Keegan.  

Boulette Responds to Criticism of Human Relations Ordinance

I recently told you that Northampton County is looking for applicants to the newly created Human Relations Commission. I consider that in and of itself a good sign. It's a sign of transparency. As an old fart who lives with other seniors as well as the disabled, I'd apply except that it would compromise my independence as a bottom-feeding blogger. This detailed and well-written ordinance was authored by Council member Jason Boulette.  It's obvious he put a lot of work into it.  My sole concern was whether we were creating another bureaucracy that would just eat up tax dollars while being otherwise meaningless. But during the public hearing before this ordinance was unanimously adopted, that concern was put to rest by Liz Bradberry of Lehigh County's Human Relations Commission. They've spent $136 over two years. 

Some of you had other concerns. Boulette took the time to respond to concerns and criticisms in my story about this, and I want to share what he said:

Some replies to a few of the comments here.

"This is nothing but the latest scheme to undermine our judicial system."

This doesn't really qualify as a "latest scheme." The local commission is authorized under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act of 1955, which created the state's Human Relations Commission and specifically empowered lower level governments to create their own. Aside from being on the books for 71 years, this law has been repeatedly updated and affirmed by the state legislature and the governors on a bipartisan basis.

"Isn’t a courtroom with an impartial judge or jury the proper place to resolve such claims?"

The Human Relations Commission doesn't foreclose anyone's rights to an impartial judge or jury. If someone feels aggrieved by the actions or inactions of the Commission, the Court of Common Pleas is still available as a recourse.

"Instead, they are setting up a commission of seven people with an agenda do determine guilt or innocence."

It's not really about guilt or innocence. In the other counties that have implemented commissions in recent years, they've yet to actually level penalties against anyone -- each case has been able to be resolved through mediation. And I'm hopeful that's the outcome we'll get here in Northampton County.

"Since this will be a quasi-judicial bodyI’ll presume it will be banned by law from recording and being televised, so if you want watch this disaster, you’ll have to travel to the courthouse at watch it person. Another way to limit people from really knowing whats going on."

The meetings are required to conform to the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act. The ordinance authorizes virtual meetings, and the Commission will be encouraged to meet virtually (with open access to the general public) precisely because it's easier for people to attend. It is not, in fact, banned by law from being recorded or televised. On the contrary, it is required to maintain minutes of meetings and recordings of any hearing.

"I like Jason's approach to his office-thoughtful and considered. But this seems like a solution in search of a problem"

I appreciate the kind words. I don't expect the caseload for the Commission to be massive, but I do think this ordinance is needed. Further, the past two years have seen similar ordinances passed in Lehigh, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties. So I don't see any reason for Northampton not to join their ranks in prohibiting discrimination.

"Who will perform investigations for the Commission? Do they need volunteers for that function too?"

The members of the Commission can serve as investigators with limited (and discretionary) assistance from county personnel.

"You are absolutely right, this is just Jason trying to make a name for himself for his next office run."

I have a full time job I'm happy with and I'm not looking any further ahead than the office I was elected to.

NorCo Seeks Applicants for Newly Formed Human Relations Comm'n

In March, Northampton County Council unanimously adopted a Human Relations Ordinance intended to resolve claims of discrimination in a timely manner pursuant to the county's police powers. The 34-page document is the handiwork of Council member Jason Boulette. 

The purpose of the ordinance is to "declare [the county's intent] to promote the rights and opportunities of all persons to participate in the social, cultural, recreational, and economic life of the County and to assure equal opportunity for all persons concerning employment, housing, education, health care, and use of public accommodations without regard to actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical marital status, familial status, GED rather than high school diploma, or mental disability, relationship or association with a disabled person, source of income, age, height, weight, veteran status, use of guide or support animals and/or mechanical aids, or domestic or sexual violence victim status."

The Commission envisaged by this ordinance consists of seven members appointed by the Executive, which County Council can confirm or reject. Members will reflect the diversity of protected classes. If the commission finds that a complaint of discrimination is substantiated, it can fine the offender up to $600.

Yesterday, Northampton County Deputy Administrator Jessica Berger issued a call for volunteers who are NorCo residents "with an interest in public service, community engagement, civil rights, human relations, education, advocacy, mediation, or related fields are encouraged to apply for consideration."

If you'd like to be a "Commissioner," send your resume and home address to Berger at JBerger@norcopa.gov. Your application is due May 27.