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Human
Relations Commission
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DECEMBER 15, 2005
ATTENDANCE: Dr. Barbara Amodio, Chair; Dr. Charles Stabinsky,
Rahoul Dupervil, Sarah Mann, Sara Sikes, Vicky Su,
STAFF: Elisabeth Youngerman, Human Relations Director
CALL TO ORDER
Dr. Amodio called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The following corrections were noted:
Page 1, paragraph 1, and throughout: please change “Ms. Amodio” to “Dr. Amodio”.
Page 1, paragraph 2, and throughout: please change “Dr. Savinsky” to “Dr. Stabinsky”.
Page 1, paragraph 4, line 1: please change “Ms. Bea” to “Ms. Brown”.
Page 1, paragraph 5, line 4: please change “in the atrium” to “ in the City Hall atrium”.
Page 1, paragraph 5, line 13: please change “Nilsa did a nice job preparing the posters and announcements” to “Nilsa Martinez did a nice job preparing the announcements”.
Page 1, paragraph 5, line 14: please change “in the Spring as their next project”
to
“in the Spring as a new project for the Commission.”
Page 1, paragraph 5, line 15: please change “for the planting” to “for the
planting
program.”
Page 2, paragraph 1, line 2: please change “They had worked hard on getting
everything
ready, and they are encouraging people to participate.” to “The Staff has worked
hard on getting everything ready, and they are encouraging people in City Hall
to participate.”
Page 2, paragraph 1, line 4: please change “supplies for people” to “art supplies
for
people”.
Page 2, paragraph 2, line 1: please change “of cases were fair rent intakes.”
to
“of cases during the past month were fair rent intakes.”
Page 2, paragraph 3, line 1: please change “They cleaned up the office, and
did some
painting” to “The Staff has cleaned up the office, and Building Management did
some painting”.
Page 2, paragraph 3, line 3: please change “They have their intern,” to “The intern,”.
Page 2, paragraph 3, line 4; please change “student, coming in” to “student, is coming in”.
Page 2, paragraph 3, line 5: please change “is assisting them with” to “is assisting with”
Page 2, paragraph 4: please change “They spent time with Mr. Booth of the Fair
Rent
Commission to go over things for next year. They put in $10,000 for education
and training in the budget, which is the only increase, for next year.” to
“Dr. Amodio and Ms. Youngerman spent time with Mr. Booth of the Fair Rent
Commission preparing the budget presentation for next year. They added $10,000
for education and training to the budget, which is the only increase for next
year.”
Page 2, paragraph 5, line 1: please change “The brochure for the outreach”
to
“The brochure for the Human Relations Commission outreach”
Page 2, paragraph 5, line 2: please change “just did a film” to “just produced a film”.
Page 2, paragraph 5, line 2: please change “She spoke with the new President
of
Norwalk Community College to do a symposium in the spring for issues
in the community.” to “Ms. Youngerman spoke with the new President of
Norwalk Community College about doing a symposium in the spring on
issues of the Spanish speaking community.”
Page 2, paragraph 6, line 1: please change “on the ADA” to “on ADA”.
Page 2, paragraph 6, line 1, please change “she has to file a” to “she is filing a”.
Page 2, paragraph 6, line 2: please change “handicapped person” to “mentally
disabled person”.
Page 2, paragraph 6, line 3: please change “central place for handicapped people”
to “central place in Norwalk for disabled people”.
Page 2, paragraph 6, line 4: please change: “which the handicapped person didn’t
know
anything about, and the landlord did not want to evict her.” to “where a disabled
person is being evicted. The Fair Rent is assisting her in finding new housing
and
support.”
Page 2, paragraph 6, line 5: please change “DMR, is the Department of Mental
Retardation.” to “DMR, the Department of Mental Retardation , is working
with the person as well.”
Page 2, paragraph 6, line 10: please change “established for long range planning
purposes”
to “established to look at issues of disabled people in Norwalk.”
Page 3, paragraph 1, line 2: please change “work through the Norwalk” to “work
with the Norwalk”
Page 3, paragraph 1, line 7: please change “Paymer conducts a train-the-trainer
program,
World of Difference,” to “Paymer is considering a train-the-trainer program,
ADL’s World of Difference,”
Page 3, paragraph 2, line 1: please change “of the cost would be picked up.”
to “of the
cost of Diversity Training would be picked up.”
Page 3, paragraph 2, line 2: please change “There is not much of a budget, but
it would”
to “ The cost will”
Page 3, paragraph 2, line 3: please change “It mostly likely will be” to “The
City’s
participation will most likely be”
Page 3, paragraph 2, line 7: please omit “ The Resource Directory is huge,
and it is very
impressive”
Page 3 paragraph 3, line 1: please change “Community Indicators for all” to
“Community
Indicators from the Human Services Council for all”
Page 3, paragraph 3 line 3: please add: “Ms. Youngerman is on the Steering
Committee for
the next issue of the Community Indicators.”
Page 3, paragraph 4, line 2: please change “they are almost fully staffed”
to “they are fully
staffed.”
Page 3, paragraph 5, line 1: please change the last sentence to read: “ Ms.
Youngerman said
that the office is looking at different possibilities for managing cases.”
Page 3, paragraph 8, line 2: please change: “about the By-Laws.” to “about
the By-Laws
concerning the need for a secretary.”
Page 3, paragraph 8, line 3: please change “review some things” to “review
the need
for an amendment to the By-Laws concerning this position.”
** DR. STABINSKY MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER
17, 2005 AS AMENDED.
** MS. SU SECONDED.
** THE MOTION PASSED WITH TWO ABSTENTIONS (MANN AND SIKES).
3. CHAIRLADY’S REPORT
Dr. Amodio reported that the Human Rights Day went well. Both the Mayor and Dr. Corda spoke at both events. Dr. Amodio said that she felt it created a lot of good will for next year’s event. Dr. Amodio also thanked Ms. Mann for supplying another tree, and to Mr. Ross for transporting the tree to the school for the event. She also thanked Ms. Youngerman and the office staff for all their hard work on the event, along with all those Commissioners who were able to attend. A number of new permanent ornaments were added to the display. Mayor Moccia has said that he is willing to collaborate with the Human Relations Commission on having an event each season. He was very positive about the event at the Carver Center and suggested adding a tree planting to the perennial garden. Dr. Amodio also spoke with the Mayor about having other events at different locations in Norwalk throughout the year. Dr. Corda invited the Human Relations Commission to host an event at the Brien McMahon Global Studies Center after the construction is completed. Dr. Amodio will be meeting with Joan Glass at the Center and report back to the Commission.
Dr. Amodio also mentioned an ancient custom that many international peace keeping groups have which is taking the recycled implements of war, such as shrapnel and other metallic objects and melting them down. This is then recasted into a toned bell by an artist. Dr. Amodio estimated the cost of such a bell as about $100.00. She said that she would have some preliminary discussion with Mayor Moccia about this. Dr. Amodio stated that anywhere a permanent installation is done, it gives the Commission and many other groups in town an opportunity to adopt that site and return to it for commemoration. She said that she felt that the Commission has done a good job of educating the community on traditional human rights fourteen times.
In January, Mr. Dupervil and Dr. Amodio will not be in town. Dr. Amodio asked
if some
one would chair the meeting. She also suggested that Ms. Youngerman could keep
the Commission members advised of the events in town on Martin Luther King Day,
which begins with breakfast through to the evening services in the City Hall
Concert Hall. For those Commissioners who might wish to attend the event in
the concert hall, the very front two rows in the center section are reserved
for the Commissioner, and other dignitaries.
Mr. Dupervil will be back in time to chair the February meeting, but in the event that he not able to, Mr. Ross has volunteered to chair that meeting. In February, the map of the Underground Railroad in Connecticut, which was donated by Ms. Falsca of the Historical Commission, will be displayed. Ms. Youngerman was able to have this historical accurate map mounted for the Commission.
Dr. Amodio stated that during her trip, she will be in The Hague, and in Brussels for a period of time. She said that she hopes to bring back some information on International Rights for the Commission. She and Ms. Youngerman will look over the material together, as Ms. Youngerman has a strong background in International Rights, also.
This year, Chinese New Year celebration will be on Saturday, January 28th. Dr. Amodio invited Ms. Su to share with the Commission some of the events that the Chinese community of Fairfield County will be hosting at the Continental Manor. Ms. Su mentioned that their celebration will start with a Lion Dance, followed by a performance of the Beijing Opera, a performance of the Chinese Magic Show and a performance of a choral group, along with a keynote speaker. This will be followed by a 10 course authentic Chinese meal. The event costs $50.00 for non-members. Ms. Su said that she would email the invitations to the Commission the following day, but the event was sold out the last two years.
The idea for a spring time perennial garden event has been discussed, but there isn’t an idea for a summer event. Dr. Amodio was open to suggestions for the summertime event and one for the fall. She stated that there are typically two harvests on the lunar calendars around the world. The first harvest is usually in August, while the second harvest is around October. Ms. Su explained the significance of the Moon Festival for the Chinese.
4. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ms. Youngerman explained that she was pleased with the Human Rights Day events and that copies of newspaper articles were attached to the back of her report. She felt this was a real learning experience for the staff. There has been some discussion about how to have more people in attendance. One of the ideas was to have an essay contest on the United Nations Rights of the Child. It would be important to start this type of project early in the fall and have the various teachers supporting it. The focus might be “What does the Declaration of the Rights of the Child mean to me?” or possibly “What are the origins of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child?” along with how it is applicable today. The Cantiamo Choir will be returning again next year. Each of the students received a citizenship award.
Dr. Amodio explained that the Human Rights Commission has had an essay contest in the past and that one of the reasons that the program has been successful now is because Dr. Corda is supporting it. The principal of Ponus Ridge, Ms. Sumpter, was very supportive of the program this year. She suggested making a packet of materials available to the teachers. Dr. Amodio then reviewed some of the highlights of the United Nations’ history.
Ms. Youngerman stated that she had written a thank you letter to Ms. Sumpter, the principal of Ponus Ridge School and asked if the Human Rights Commission could have the students’ message ornaments as part of an ongoing collection. Dr. Amodio stated that she had ordered archival boxes to store these ornaments. Ms. Youngerman stated that Ms. Martinez will be procuring a new artificial tree for the Commission.
One of the possibilities for a perennial peace garden might be in Mathews Park after the old Police Station is demolished, Ms. Youngerman reported. Dr. Amodio suggested perhaps having a garden at one of the train stations. The Commission has promised the Carver Center a garden, so that will be the first step.
Dr. Amodio requested that Ms. Youngerman send Ms. Falasca a thank you for the Connecticut Underground Railroad poster.
Ms. Youngerman stated that she had submitted internship descriptions to Norwalk Community College and UCONN Stamford, as indicated in her report. She then reviewed the report for the Commission. There was a brief discussion about the merits of a stipend internship versus a for-credit internship. Dr. Amodio suggested that Ms. Youngerman speak to someone at Fairfield University, also.
The brochure project is moving forward. Ms. Youngerman displayed one of the mock-ups for the Fair Rent Commission from the printer. The cover will be different for the Human Rights Commission. Dr. Amodio asked if Ms. Youngerman had spoken to the printer about the International Convention about reversing the orientation for the Spanish language portion of the brochure. Ms. Youngerman replied that she had, but would prefer not to do it because it might be confusing for those who use the brochure and that the brochure is an outreach tool for the Commission. Dr. Amodio stated that she wished to educate the public to an International Convention. It was generally agreed by the group that the brochure should be as simple as possible. There was also some discussion about having a translation in French or Creole available. Mr. Dupervil explained that French was the more widely accepted written language rather than Creole, which up until recently, was basically an oral language. Dr. Amodio stated that she had dreamed of having a section the library dedicated to the classic books from various cultures, like “Wild Swan”, in translation available for the public.
Work is continuing on the Spanish Language Resource Directory and staff has found a number of errors. Once the updating and correction is complete, the Commission will be looking for an intern to help with the translation portion.
5. OLD BUSINESS
International Human Rights Day Review
This was covered in the Chairlady’s Report and the Director’s Report.
6. NEW BUSINESS
Discussion of Norwalk’s Responsibilities under the ADA
Ms. Youngerman reported that she had reviewed the ADA Compliance Issues for the City of Norwalk, which was included in a separate memo in the packet for the Commissioners. In reviewing the memos from the previous director, Ms. Youngerman stated that there was a draft “transition plan” for ADA Title II compliance for the City, but it had never been presented to the Common Council for approval. Dr. Stabinsky and Ms. Youngerman have been researching the City’s ADA compliance and evaluating where Norwalk is in regards to this issue. Ms. Youngerman reviewed the memo for the Commissioners. There are several steps that need to be taken for the City to be in compliance with federal law. In addition, since the closing of the DSS office in Norwalk, there is no central information center for the residents who are disabled. Ms. Mann, who works for the Multiple Sclerosis Society stated that according to the MSS manuals, the City Hall facility is ADA compliant. Dr. Stabinsky noted that the issue is one of compliance with the law for all municipal facilities of which there are over 20. The Common Council must approve a plan and the City must complete a self-evaluation.
Mr. Dupervil left at 8:45 p.m.
Ms. Youngerman suggested that perhaps the Commission should ask the Mayor to request that Redevelopment help implement the transition plan requirements. She also stated that if the Common Council approved it, even if the plan was not 100% complete, it would be a start and could be further developed. Ms. Youngerman will develop a memo to the Mayor.
Ms. Su left at 8:50 p.m.
Schedule for January and February Meetings.
Dr. Amodio stated that Dr. Stabinsky will chair the meeting, but that it most likely will be canceled. The February meeting which is scheduled for the 15th, will be chaired by Mr. Dupervil. Ms. Youngerman suggested that the March meeting be a strategy meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
** MS. SIKES MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
** MS. MANN SECONDED.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Soltes, Telesco Secretarial Services
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