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Human
Relations Commission
Actions
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OCTOBER 19, 2006
ATTENDANCE: Dr. Barbara Amodio, Chair; Rahoul Dupervil; Bea Brown;
Dr. Charles Stabinsky; Sarah Mann; Carol Frank; Lucy Romeo;
Daisy Franklin; Samuel Wright
STAFF: Elisabeth Youngerman, Director
GUESTS: Margaret Suib, Fair Housing Officer
CALL TO ORDER
Dr. Amodio called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. She greeted and welcomed the new Commissioners and re-welcomed the rest of the Commissioners.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
** MS. FRANK MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS SUBMITTED
** MS. MANN SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
Dr. Amodio announced that she had discovered a number of interesting programs for the International Human Rights Day.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Dr. Amodio said that she discovered a film that was done by a young lady from a Connecticut family that involved in the trading of slaves. The docu-drama is almost complete and the members of the family are available for meetings and to offer their apologies for the activities of their family.
** MR. DUPERVIL MOVED TO APPOINT DR. AMODIO AS THE CHAIR PERSON FOR THE HUMAN
RIGHTS DAY EVENT
** MS. FRANK SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONERS
Dr. Amodio asked the new members to introduce themselves and tell the Commissioners about themselves.
Mr. Wright said that he does a lot of outreach with children and with his Church. Ms. Romeo said that she used to practice law, but a few years ago made a decision to teach high school. Ms. Franklin said that she serves on a lot of committees and plans to advocate for housing. Dr. Amodio pointed out that Ms. Frank also has a large interest in housing.
INTRODUCTION OF FAIR HOUSING OFFICER M. SUIB
Ms. Suib explained the history between the Fair Housing Commission and this Commission. She said that the Fair Housing Commission arouse out of a lawsuit during the 1980’s. Ms. Suib said that she has been a lawyer since the 1980’s and has a background in employment law.
Ms. Suib described the complaint process. She said that if the complaint can be proven, it is her job to work with the client to explain to them their options.
Ms. Suib described how the Human Relations Commission was created. Ms. Franklin asked Ms. Suib if she brings discrimination complaints to this Commission. Ms. Suib said that she reports the cases to the Fair Housing Commission, but does not report the names because the meetings are public. Ms. Franklin said that if there is any discrimination this Commission needs to know about it and how much is taking place. Ms. Suib said that this Commission is more likely to hold human rights events more than her Commission.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ms. Youngerman reviewed her written report.
Ms. Franklin asked Ms. Youngerman to explain ADA. Ms. Youngerman explained ADA. Dr. Amodio pointed out that Ms. Mann has expertise in that area.
STATISTICS & FIELD REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT
Ms. Youngerman reported that there were two Fair Housing cases that came in from Fairfield. The cases were for race and lawful source of income. She said that she continues to handle a lot of wage hour referrals to the Department of Labor.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
Ms. Brown said that since this is Dr. Amodio’s and Mr. Dupervil’s last term she wanted to thank them for their hard work and dedication.
Ms. Brown put forth the following nominations:
Ms. Mann – Chair
Ms. Romeo – Vice Chair
Ms. Brown asked for any other nominations from the floor.
** MS. FRANK MOVED TO NOMINATE DR. STABINSKY AS CHAIR AND MR. DUPERVIL AS VICE
CHAIR
** DR. STABINSKY SECONDED
Dr. Stabinsky reviewed his participation on the Commission and explained why he would make a good Chairman. Mr. Dupervil did the same.
Ms. Frank said that she would like to see everyone work together for the betterment of the Commission.
Ms. Mann also reviewed her participation on the Commission and explained why she would make a good Chairperson. Ms. Romeo said that as Vice Chair she would work hard and hope that everyone would get along.
** DR. STABINSKY MOVED THAT THE VOTE BE CLOSED AND THAT SEPARATE VOTES BE TAKEN
FOR CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
** MS. FRANK SECONDED
** MOTION FAILED WITH THREE (3) IN FAVOR (DR. STABINSKY; MR. DUPERVIL AND MS.
FRANK)
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
** MS. BROWN MOVED TO ELECT DR. STABINSKY AS CHAIRMAN
** MS. FRANK SECONDED
** MOTION FAILED WITH THREE (3) VOTES IN FAVOR (DR. STABINSKY; MR. DUPERVIL
AND MS. FRANK)
** MS. BROWN MOVED TO ELECT MR. DUPERVIL AS VICE CHAIRMAN
** MS. FRANK SECONDED
** MOTION FAILED WITH THREE (3) VOTES IN FAVOR (DR. STABINSKY; MR. DUPERVIL
AND MS. FRANK)
** MS. BROWN MOVED TO ELECT MS. MANN AS CHAIR
** MS. MANN SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED WITH SIX (6) VOTES IN FAVOR (DR. AMODIO; MS. BROWN; MS. MANN;
MS. ROMEO; MS. FRANKLIN. MR. WRIGHT)
** MS. BROWN MOVED TO ELECT MS. ROMEO AS VICE CHAIR
** MS. FRANKLIN SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED WITH SIX (6) VOTES IN FAVOR (DR. AMODIO; MS. BROWN; MS. MANN;
MS. ROMEO; MS. FRANKLIN. MR. WRIGHT)
Ms. Brown congratulated Ms. Mann and Ms. Romeo.
ADJOURNMENT
There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:50
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services
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