City's Human Rights Group In Flux
Withering participation and cancelled meetings have damaged the commission.
Golden Valley's Human Rights Commission, stagnant for nearly three years, might soon dissolve altogether. With the commission struggling to maintain minimal involvement with the community—and its own members—the city council has decided to evaluate its structure, scope and effectiveness.
During a heated discussion at the City Manager’s meeting this past week, council members, grappling with the commission's future, voted to form a community focus group this fall and ask community members to help define the commission's scope and responsibilities.
"I'm out of ideas," stated Mayor Linda Loomis.
"We need to ask the community what we would like to see around social justice and human rights in Golden Valley," Council Member Paula Pentel said.
Prompted by a report by Police Chief Stacy Altonen, the discussion focused on the commission's general lack of activity. Since 2008, Altonen reported, nearly half of the scheduled meetings of Human Rights Commission have been cancelled due to a lack of quorum—a minimum number of present members. As it is, the commission now has only two official members. Personality conflicts, Altonen said, led people to leave the commission.
Three people have applied to become members, Altonen said, but council members said that without some review and freshening of the commission's structure, there likely would be little change in attendance or effectiveness.
"Everyone who has been on that commission is interested in human rights, but what that means for them varies widely," Altonen explained.
Council Member Bob Shaffer expressed the most frustration with the commission's inability to fulfill its role of community educator about human rights and diversity. Citing past programming, he said that often one good program will emerge with little to no follow up.
"I'm not sure the human rights commision is effective in what it's doing," Shaffer said. "We're going in circles and haven't gained anything."
Counsel Member Mike Freiberg expressed concern that any dismantling or major restructuring may send the message to the community that there's no longer a need for the commission. He felt that it was important to underline that the need for education and discussion around human rights and diversity has not diminished.
"This is still an important civic issue," said Freiberg. "This commission may want to be a part of the larger state discussion [around human rights], or even weigh in on the proposed constitutional amendment [on same-sex marriage]."
Barb Breckshire
4:30 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
I can't believe the city can't figure out a way to get the commission back on track. People hear "diversity" and run, thinking it's some kind of Pollyanna way of celebrating culture. Just wait until we're dealing with a major problem and they'll look like idiots for not giving this more attention. Gay marriage, the rights of homosexuals, equal pay for women, race issues, religious issues- they're all still very much alive and still polarize people, yes, even in moderate and friendly Golden Valley. We need to be proactive, not disband the commission and have egg on our face when something major pops up and our city looks like intolerant jerks because we thought human rights wasn't a big enough deal to keep working on.
John Wagner
5:40 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Read the article again. know one said there wasn't validity to have a h\Human Rights Commission. They said they need to "'evaluate its structure, scope and effectiveness".It sounds to me the Council takes this very serious and want to make sure it is successful.
Elaine Wynne
7:45 am on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Do keep the Human Rights Commission. I believe the City of Golden Valley can set up an environment to empower a competent and effective Commission. Take the time to do it well. And while we are at it, let's thank the current chair who is leaving. He has done effective outreach and initiated things to help with what is needed. Barb's issues (Comment above) are all important ones. What I know about groups is that when people start missing meetings and having "personality conflicts", etc., there are BACKGROUND Issues in play that need to be cleared up. The City Council needs to figure out a way to move forward and have a vibrant Human Rights Commission.
Anise McDowell
11:58 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
This is an interesting article because as I recall a couple of the people that were quoted in the article served on the commission. Whom did the commission members have personality conflicts with? Within the group or between the group and the city government representatives? In recent history the city leaders have changed the by-laws and when that wasn't enough they changed the constitution to better suit their position on how they wanted the commission restructured. I say disband it! We don't need this structure to educate our neighbors about human rights or social justice in Golden Valley. As private citizens representing ourselves we have greater flexibility.
Elaine Wynne
4:43 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
The only people quoted were City Council members. Anise, is this were a citizen driven initiative, how would it work? I would rather see us take a good look to find out some answers. The information about what really happened was a little sketchy and seemed to lean a little toward blaming the commmittee members.
Anise McDowell
10:56 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Elaine, I know who they are because I was once on the commission. I'm speaking from experience. The city council members choose the human rights commissioners. So, they have to own some of the blame. If anyone needs to be blamed. That seems counterproductive if they are serious about having a human rights commission. If you or anyone else is interested in human rights, social justice, or any other peace initiative then we should talk. I already have some lesson plans that are ready to go.
Elaine Wynne
4:28 am on Friday, June 24, 2011
Could you call me - I'd like to talk with you.