MASON CITY – The embattled and ever-shrinking Mason City Human Rights Commission has decided to appoint a media spokesperson.
At a “special meeting” of the Human Rights Commission held on July 31, Commission Chairman Steve Palmer outlined the concept of electing a Media Spokesperson for the Commission and suggested the appointment of Commissioner Ann Harty to that position.
According to meeting minutes, discussion followed regarding the benefits of having one person the media could correspond with, Harty’s qualifications and how to handle various situations.
It was moved by Commissioners Joey VanZomeran and seconded by Mark Stanton to designate Harty and give her the title of Media Spokseperson.
The commission also approved an update to its web site and posted information for citizens to make claims by calling the Iowa Civil Rights Commission in Des Moines.
In a major revelation, the commission once and for all declared that the state of Iowa will now handle all intake of cases.
“It was moved by Valencia and seconded by Harty to have the State take care of intake” of cases, meeting minutes show.
“Harty agreed with intake being handled at the State level, noting they were the experts, objective and it took personalities out of the mix.”
The commission had always been tasked, previously, with making sure cases from citizens were taken in and then investigated and processed.
The commission also had always undertaken education and outreach in the community to help prevent Human Rights violations. In July, the commission talked about completing more of this kind of activity.
However, at the July 31 meeting, “Chair Palmer discussed various options pertaining to outreach including guest speakers and radio and television ads, noting those should be available from the state”. The commission did discuss creating a poster and posting it in a public place as well as creating brochures.
The commission is also having discussions on eliminating seats for commissioners, making the commission smaller. There are supposed to be nine members of the Human Rights Commission.
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A discrimination claim should be filed against the the Mason City Human Rights Commission. When you get right down to it, the elimination of local human rights service the community wanted and payed for violates every Mason City citizen’s human rights.
This should surprise no one. Ask for a interview Matt and see what they tell YOU.
Quick question, what is there left for our local commission to do? They have stripped everything at the local level as the Mayor wanted, what will they actually do at their monthly meetings now that everything is being sent to the state?