HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/18/2009 JU~ 9 200g
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SOUTHOLD TOWN ANTI-BIAS TASK FORCE
MINUTES, MAY 18, 2009
ATTENDANCE: Eleanor Lingo, Mike Domino, Peter Bel, Jeanne Marie Merkel,
Jean Le Pre, Rev. Nathaniel Heyward, Merle Levine
ABSENT: Cindy Smith, Carolyn Peabody, Marjorie Day, Betty Murphy,
Val Shelby, Edana Cichanowicz.
Supervisor Scott Russell also attended
READING OF THE MINUTES: accepted
KKK Graffitti painted on the train trestle in Mattituck
Eleanor Lingo, Peter Bel and Mike Domino went to observe after
Eleanor was informed of its existence. They went to speak with Policeman
Flatley on May 11 and discovered that it had been reported on May 4.
First, the Police Response Was that it was not their jurisdiction since it was
on the Train Transportation property. However, they were told later that a
committee of the Youth Bureau would be removing all graffiti in Southold
Town on May 23, which was unacceptable.
Eleanor spoke to Supervisor Russell on Wednesday, and the graffiti
was removed on Thursday.
Concern of the ABTF: That such graffiti be removed immediately
as it is found.
Protocol with the Southold Town police requires that bias incidents
be reported to the ABTF.
Supervisor Russell joined the meeting at this point and laid out the
following requirements:
First phone call to the Hate Crimes Dept. in Suffolk County.
A photograph should be taken for the record.
The second phone call should be to the Dept. Public Works to remove
the graffiti.
The ABTF should be notified as per the protocol.
Supervisor Russell is resolved to deal with graffiti of any kind.
He is addressing the concerns with a program of mandatory training
for all of the Southold Town staff. He has special concern for the workforce
that deals daily with the minority public.
CONCERNS FOR MINORITY APPLICANTS FOR POLICE POSITIONS
Supervisor Russell expressed the need for minority police staff, and for
helping possible applicants in understanding the dates of the Civil service tests, the
required knowledge, the requirements and preparation for the Civil Service Exam.
Areas to explore: how to train Community College students for police work, and
efforts to find apprentices for Traffic Control jobs that can lead eventually to
becoming police officers.
DEPUTY SUPERVISOR, PHILLIP BELTZ, announced that on Tuesday, May
19, 2009, at the Town Board Meeting, Supervisor Russell will issue a Proclamation
naming Thursday, May 21, 2009, as Southold Town Anti-Bias Education Day.
On Thursday, at 7:00 p.m., Supervisor Russell will host a public forum to discuss
recent acts of bias against Latinos on Long Island.
LOOKING TO INVOLVE THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ABTF: Rev. Heyward
offered to contact local ministers to attend a meeting we are to plan.
NEED FOR A MISSION STATEMENT AND UP-DATING OUR BROCHURE.
NEED TO SEND LETTERS TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SCHOOLS TO
ENGAGE TEACHERS IN WORKSHOP 2 OF ERASE RACISM.
LETTER OF RESIGNATION FROM ELEAINE BREESE, WHO FINDS IT
DIFFICULT TO ATTEND MEETINGS. We are sorry to lose her - she has made
very useful suggestions and we will keep her informed so that that she can be a
Contributing participant.
NEXT MEETING: MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2009