| Author | Message | ||
     fringe Citizen Username: Fringe Post Number: 392 Registered: 5-2001 |
Recent discussions have revealed that "candidate for higher office" Huemer has objected to the nomination of some residents to a town sponsored volunteer committee based soley on diversity. He apparently is reflecting the desires of other TC members who have instructed heads of various committees to fill vacancies with individuals that will make the committee more resemble the diverse nature of the population. In most cases perspective committee members contact or are referred to the committee chair. When vacancies occur the committee then makes recommendations to the TC which votes on the nominations. Admittedly I don't pay as much attention to the town government as the schools, but could someone refer to the resolution or policy that specifies this selection preference. In the specific position currently under discussion, what happens when there are no diverse applicants? Are non-diverse, but motivated and qualified residents who have sought out the appointments, to be denied in the name of diversity? JTL | ||
| drremulak Citizen Username: Drremulak Post Number: 55 Registered: 5-2001 |
what the hell is a non-diverse resident? | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 2797 Registered: 5-2001 |
Committee openings should be filled by the most qualified person(s) available. "Maplewoodian" is the only demographic that should be considered in determining eligibility. IMHO, there is nothing more divisive than setting EEO-type quotas. | ||
| marie Citizen Username: Marie Post Number: 1012 Registered: 6-2001 |
...that diversity is a factor to be considered in a BOE election. I happen to agree with that. It is only one of many important factors - but, in my opinion, it is a factor. Fred's letter, suppporting David Huemer's diversity letter makes a heck of lot more sense now. When Fred and Ken are calling for racial quotas, it's understandable why they wouldn't criticize Huemer for doing the same. | ||
| Fruitcake Citizen Username: Fruitcake Post Number: 102 Registered: 9-2003 |
Marie, What racial quotas are Fred and Ken calling for? Please enlighten us. Please be specific. | ||
| fringe Citizen Username: Fringe Post Number: 394 Registered: 5-2001 |
A non-diverse Maplewoodian is the opposite of a diverse Maplewoodian. Assuming there is a formal policy or resolution, the devinition of diversity should be found there. If there is no formal policy or definition then the whims of the TC members guide. In a current case I'm familiar with, "candidate for higher office" Huemer has made it clear to the committee chair that a middle-aged white female does not meet his definition of diversity. Hence the name has not been proposed. The TC's hands are clean even though this policy has had the desired chilling effect on the chair. Again I ask for the specific code or resolution reference for this policy. If there is not one then it is up to the TC to adopt it. For the record, of the approximately 200 appointed committee positions in 2003, less than 5 were held by Republicans - even though they represent a third of the voters. Diversity of thought has not been popular in the last decade. | ||
| Fruitcake Citizen Username: Fruitcake Post Number: 104 Registered: 9-2003 |
Fringe, There have been many appointments of white men and women to township committees this year, some in the last few weeks. Your claim is hearsay at best. You should be more careful and specific about what you post. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2637 Registered: 9-2001 |
"For the record, of the approximately 200 appointed committee positions in 2003, less than 5 were held by Republicans - even though they represent a third of the voters." With only one Republican out of every forty appointments, it would have to be quite evident to the members of the Township Committee that this practice would greatly reduce future prospects for public office from the Republican Party in town. If these figures are anywhere near accurate, then shame on the TC and Democratic Party in Maplewood for allowing this to happen. Does anyone know how many heads of these many committees are Republicans? I also have to wonder if Ken Pettis would have ever been elected to the Township Committee if the Republicans in power back then had not appointed him to the Board of Adjustment? It's true; diversity goes beyond just age, color, race, sexual orientation, and religion. Political diversity is what has made our country great. More attention needs to be brought to this issue, and electing a Republican to the Township Committee this year would be a good way to start... | ||
| fringe Citizen Username: Fringe Post Number: 395 Registered: 5-2001 |
According to the township clerk, the diversity requirement springs from a motion five or six years ago. Apparently a motion is less than a resolution but more than a sense of the committee. The term was not defined in the motion leaving it to the whim of the TC. The clerk was sure it includes skin color and religion but not party affiliation. According to the clerk, each October the committee chairs receive a letter reminding them of this motion, but without any instruction as to what is required. I don't know to what extent this motion has been used in the past to determine committee membership, but the fact that it has is enough to demand that the term be defined if volunteers are to be denied membership based on being non-diverse. | ||
| Fruitcake Citizen Username: Fruitcake Post Number: 105 Registered: 9-2003 |
Fringe, Why don't you go over to the Township Committee meeting tonight and explain things to them? I'm sure they'd love to hear from you. Why rant on MOL when they have an open microphone at Town Hall? | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 439 Registered: 3-2003 |
I think, Fruitcake, that as this new issue takes form, any number of maplewoodians will let the township committee hear from them. Of course, MOL will lead the way. This is a relatively straight forward issue to understand. Unlike the Separate Proposal. fruitty, I'd love to hear your definition of rant, as fringe couldn't have been more straighforward. By the way, were you aware of this motion? Was anyone? I guess we will find out. Last Joan and ajc are two of many who give back much to this community. Pay attn to their comment and input on this issue. | ||
| Fruitcake Citizen Username: Fruitcake Post Number: 106 Registered: 9-2003 |
Reflective, Fringe's statements in this thread are hearsay, even the clerk's account of the alleged motion. Maybe the motion exists, maybe not, but if so I doubt it binds the Township Committee from one year to the next. More to the point, Fringe has claimed that qualified applicants were denied committee positions because of reverse discrimination or quoatas. Of course, he hasn't provided any evidence. He has, however, done a lot of Huemer-bashing, repeatedly mocking him with the tagline "candidate for higher office", itself no more than hearsay. If Fringe has solid information about failures of the Township Committee, he should come forth with it. | ||
| Nohero Citizen Username: Nohero Post Number: 3271 Registered: 10-1999  |
The only policy on appointments would have to be - that of the current Township Committee. A "motion" or "sense of the Committee", or anything short of an actual ordinance, doesn't bind subsequent Township Committees. So, if anybody has a problem with a policy (and, I do not know about the status of the policy being discussed), take it up with the whole Township Committee. This isn't something on which to single out one member. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2639 Registered: 9-2001 |
"I also have to wonder if Ken Pettis would have ever been elected to the Township Committee if the Republicans in power back then had not appointed him to the Board of Adjustment?" In reading my statement again, it appears I may have used poor judgment in using Ken as an example of the importance I've placed on serving on appointed committee positions. I have always been of the belief that some form of prior public service is more often than not a prerequisite for elected office. However, certainly Ken has distinguished himself in many other ways besides his years as a member of the Board of Adjustment. I apologize Ken... | ||
| mtierney Citizen Username: Mtierney Post Number: 567 Registered: 3-2001 |
"A "motion" or "sense of the Committee", or anything short of an actual ordinance, doesn't bind subsequent Township Committees. " Fruitcake & NoHero: If this alleged "motion" was created by the wholly Democratic TC and over the years has been "allegedly" reissued by the same wholly Democratic TC, then the issue of diversity, IMHO, is directly tied to political affiliation. Whew! I agree that members should be qualified Maplewoodians who have an interest to give back to their community, not just folks wanting higher office who need to create impressive resumes. Say, how many seniors are asked to serve? Afraid of bias? Gee, like they might want to protect their interests? Seniors often have the time to serve, and the background which provides a frame of reference often lacking in baby boomers. | ||
| Barbara Real Name Username: Blh Post Number: 251 Registered: 5-2001 |
From George Will's column in today's SL (online at the Washington Post site at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64323-2004May3.html) <snip> Appearing Friday in the Rose Garden with Canada's prime minister, President Bush was answering a reporter's question about Canada's role in Iraq when suddenly he swerved into this extraneous thought: "There's a lot of people in the world who don't believe that people whose skin color may not be the same as ours can be free and self-govern. I reject that. I reject that strongly. I believe that people who practice the Muslim faith can self-govern. I believe that people whose skins aren't necessarily -- are a different color than white can self-govern." What does such careless talk say about the mind of this administration? Note that the clearly implied antecedent of the pronoun "ours" is "Americans." So the president seemed to be saying that white is, and brown is not, the color of Americans' skin. He does not mean that... " Unfortunately, I think he did mean that. (Please note - this is not a statement saying that our president is racist. Its saying that he falls into a trap many of us do - those of us with white skin who don't have to think about race unless we want to.) While he has appointed people of color to significant positions in his administration, he sees our country as a "white" country -- and so do many others in positions where they have the ability to appoint and influence. It is because of that trap that we do have to be conscious and think about this and be intentional if we want our governmental leadership to look like our community. Yes, of course we want the best qualified people to serve in leadership positions. But too often we only look to a portion of our population to find those qualified. Too often people of color don't have a way in to show that they are equally, or more, qualified. Unfortunately, its simply not good enough to say, "the door is open to anyone." Social constructs, ago-old prejudices, and simple cronyism have kept out people of color, and others who don't have an inside track. The Community Coalition works to identify persons of color interested in serving on various boards or interested in working with various community organizations and make those connections. We provide names to the governining bodies (and have for the past few years) and other organizations of those who have self-identified with interest, trying to provide some of that inside track. Why identify potential participants among diverse groups? Here are four excellent reasons: a. Because if you can bring those different types of members into your group, it will be more representative of the full community; your group will stand to gain broader community support b. Because with a multi-sector membership, more different opinions will probably be expressed and discussed; that means better decisions may get made c. Because a diverse, multi-sector membership is usually also a larger membership -- you will then have more talent, and also more varied kinds of talent, at your disposal d. Because the contacts and connections made in a diverse, multi-sector group lead to new community relationships. And these relationships can spark new community initiatives that might never have otherwise existed. And yes, mtierney, I think we should work to draw more of our seniors into all of our organizations. They certainly bring wisdom and experience. And yes, AJC, differing political perspectives (not necessarily correlated to political party registration) is important too. (Well, maybe not for leadership of the Garden Club or such, but certainly for the civic organizations and municipal committees.) So, I say hooray for the intentionality expressed recently. I don't know if it should be a policy -- but certainly a practice to reach out far and wide when tryig to fill volunteer slots and seek potential candidates. Barbara PS, I'm writing this as an individual. This is not an "official" statement by the Community Coalition. However, it is very much in line with the official position of the Coalition as well. | ||
| Fruitcake Citizen Username: Fruitcake Post Number: 107 Registered: 9-2003 |
Maybe AJC qualifies as a senior citizen. Probably not Fringe, though. | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 441 Registered: 3-2003 |
Barbara: Thanks for your honest and candid input. You and I are on different sides of the aisle on this. I have been applying your "4 excellent reasons" for over 30 years, in business, civic and military positions. And have identified such persons of color for leadership on many occasions. What stings is that on your side of the aisle no matter what I do, or have done, is ever enough nor are diversity goals or policies defined. It's been a great career for some, but their never enough attitude has created continued devisiveness. What is abhorent to me and perhaps others is the creation of preferred groups of people who may or may not be deserving. I believe your post coupled with letters from the CCR and Mr Huemer will slowly cause many in this community to raise their hands and ask why am I excluded? And pls understand it will be slowly because many in this community are very reluctant to merely express contrary views on this type of issue because of the fear of being called R..... | ||
| sbenois Citizen Username: Sbenois Post Number: 11151 Registered: 10-2001  |
Actually, I think the question that we ought to be asking is if people like Mr. Huemer should be included given the criteria. | ||
| sbenois Citizen Username: Sbenois Post Number: 11154 Registered: 10-2001 |
So let me ask: Barbara, given the views you've expressed as an individual - which are very close to those of the CCR - would you or the group have an issue supporting David Huemer for the TC because he doesn't fit the criteria that you've discussed above? Or does he get a free pass because he professes (like in his recent BOE endorsement letter) to want diversity? |
