STATE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
FULL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
WILMINGTON & DOVER, DELAWARE
THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2010
The March monthly meeting of the Delaware Human Relations Commission was held by video-conference at the Cannon Building, 861 Silver Lake Boulevard, Conference Room A, in Dover, Delaware; and the Carvel Building, 820 N. French Street, 4th Floor Executive Conference Room, Wilmington, Delaware. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Calvin Christopher at 7:23 p.m., followed by a period of silent meditation.
FULL COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT
New Castle County Location: Chairperson Calvin Christopher, and Commissioners Nathan Barnett, Bill Johnston, Lorenzo Murdaugh, and Olga Ramirez were present. Deputy Attorney General Barbara Gadbois was also present.
Kent County Location: Vice-Chairperson Gail Launay and Commissioners Diaz Bonville, Wallace Dixon, Earnest Gulab, Marian Harris, Doug James, Prameela Kaza, Nancy Maihoff, Peter Schott, Richard Senato, and Jamie Wolfe were present.
FULL COMMISSION MEMBERS NOT PRESENT
Commissioners Whittona Burrell, Chok-Fun Chui, Bernice Edwards, Stephen Elkins, Lois Myers, Randal Perry, Eli Ramos, and Robert Watson, Jr. were excused.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Chairperson Christopher asked for the approval of the January 2010 minutes. Commissioner Senato made a motion to accept the minutes and Commissioner Dixon seconded the motion. All were in favor. None opposed. Motion carried.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT
Mr. Sylvester Woolford, Newark, Delaware
Mr. Kenneth Dryden, Newark, Delaware
Mr. Sylvester Woolford reminded the Commission he attended their January meeting and talked about the apology for slavery being proposed in the state of Delaware. He said since January the Dover Human Relations Commission has approved the resolution. He also mentioned that Mr. Reuben Salters, Dover City Council, supports the resolution where it was also approved. Mr. Woolford and Mr. Dryden both talked to the Commission and asked for their support. Commissioner Johnston thanked both gentlemen for coming before the Commission and asked them if they could provide the actual wording of the resolution or apology. Mr. Woolford said he would send it to the office by email. After a short discussion the State Human Relations Commission decided they needed to see the actual wording of the resolution before continuing their discussion on the matter.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
Chairperson Christopher expressed his thanks to Commissioner Cropper for chairing the January meeting in his absence. He also thanked those that attended the Black History Month Proclamation Signing. He said the event was well done and well attended.
Chairperson Christopher congratulated Commissioner Bonville on the recent News Journal article that was written about him. The article is part of the ’25 Who Matter’ series and credits Commissioner Bonville with, “inspiring and propelling many of these young people forward out of challenging circumstances.”
Chairperson Christopher talked about the four vacancies on the Commission left by the resignations of Commissioners Gray, Figueroa, Cropper, and Horowitz. He said the vast experience and knowledge among those four Commissioners will be missed. Chairperson Christopher said he will be meeting with the Community Response Committee to discuss the selections for these vacancies. He said the Commission should look again at the Distinguished Commissioner award, especially in light of these vacancies.
Chairperson Christopher talked about the committee assignments. He said the committee makeup is as follows:
· Executive Committee (6)
· Community Response Committee (6)
· Legislative Committee (3)
· Public Awareness Committee (5)
· Equal Employment Opportunity Committee (4)
Chairperson Christopher said he will be reviewing the committees to see if he has any recommendations for change. He said he is concerned about there being a Chairperson vacancy on the Legislative Committee. He stated that Commissioners Murdaugh, Barnett, Wolfe, Ramos, and Kaza do not have committee assignments as of yet. He said he will work closely with the committee chairs to look at the membership and discuss how to fill the vacancies, as well as any possible changes among current members.
Chairperson Christopher said in talking with Director Fullman she suggested having standardized Committee reporting forms for committee meetings. She said this would be a good tool to document what is discussed; as well as a great product for Commissioners that may be joining that committee to know what has transpired up to that point. He said it is very important that the Commission document what is happening, so if anyone would like a copy of that form they can get one from him.
Chairperson Christopher said prior to the January SHRC meeting he met with Sam Hoff, Chairperson of the Dover Human Relations Commission regarding the apology for slavery resolution. He said that even though he feels slavery is an atrocity and wrong, he has reservations about the SHRC supporting the resolution. Chairperson Christopher said he is concerned about the following issues:
· What exactly will the apology say?
· What exactly will the SHRC be supporting?
· If it’s a statewide initiative, would it be more appropriate that the lead be at the General Assembly level, as opposed to a Commission level?
Commissioner Burrell told the Commission the 2010 census will be coming out soon. Chairperson Christopher said it is critically important that people are counted, and suggested the Commission support this any way they can.
Chairperson Christopher said the Community Response Committee met earlier to discuss the Christina School District. He said the case cannot be discussed among the full Commission at this time as an official complaint may be filed in the office. Commissioner Ramirez said she felt there is a part of this case that needs immediate attention. After a short discussion Commissioners Launay, James, and Ramirez made the decision to stay after the Full Commission meeting to discuss a possible solution, since they will not be part of any panel for any possible hearing at a later time.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Director Fullman said she sent her report electronically prior to this meeting. Commissioner Launay commended her for a very comprehensive report. Director Fullman reminded the Commission of the upcoming Fair Housing Conference. She said there is a sign-up sheet for anyone attending; as well as a task sign-up sheet. She explained Commissioners could help with greeting the keynote speakers and public, passing out and collecting evaluations, etc. She asked if anyone knows someone that wants to be an exhibitor to let her know. The Fair Housing Conference will be held on April 7th at the Dover Downs Conference Center in Dover.
Director Fullman said the Accessibility First Forum that took place on February 23rd was very successful. She said there had to be at least 40 people sign up for the HUD event to take place. Since there were 85 attendees, this event exceeded expectations. Director Fullman said each of the Division’s offices in each county will be holding a lunchtime learning series on Fair Housing. She said they will be notified of these trainings.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Equal Employment Opportunity Committee: Vice-Chairperson Launay said the Governors Council for the Equal Employee Opportunity held its first retreat on January 21st. She said there is no meeting in February; however, the next meeting will be March 18th at the Haslet Building in Dover at 9:30 a.m. Commissioner Launay said the secretary at that meeting takes minutes, and she feels they should suffice for the minutes of the GCEEO meeting.
Public Awareness: Commissioner James said he has emailed Phil Feliceangeli regarding Fair Housing month in April. He said he has also contacted Linda Kurtz and Joe Horner of Local Edition. Commissioner James said he would like them to them to do an article on the Commission, especially those with distinguished service.
Legislative Committee: No report.
Community Response Committee: No report.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Director Fullman said the video-conferencing of the meetings was not intended to replace meeting in person. She said there is a value in face-to-face meeting; however, the video-conferencing is only an option.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and approved at 8:55 p.m.
March 2010 State Human Relations Commission minutes: sp
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