HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/15/2008SOUTHOLD TOWN ANTI-BIAS TASK FORCE
MINUTES - DECEMBER 15, 2008
In Attendance: Rev. Haywood, Jeanne Merkel, Jean Le Pre, Eleanor Lingo
Elaine Breese, Peter Bel, Mike Domino, Carolyn Peabody,
Edana Cichanowiez, Cindy Smith, Merle Levine
Absent: Val Shelby, Betty Murphy
This was a three-pronged meeting:
First: Preparation for the Martin Luther King, Jr. program on Jan. 18:
Jeanne Merkel has agreement from the Southold Methodist Church to
provide the venue for the program.
Merle Levine has prepared the letter to Rev. Malcolm Byrd as our keynote
speaker, asking for his theme or information to be included in our publicity in the
papers and on the flyers and invitations.
Eleanor Lingo and Jean Le Pre are making contact with the schools and
churches to provide choirs for the program.
Merle Levine will ask IGA in Greenport, and Jean Le Pre will ask IGA in
Southold to contribute cider. Some question about whether Tom Wickham would be
willing.
All of the Board members will provide the refreshments.
Marjorie Day and Merle Levine are responsible for the public relations.
Committee will meet to finalize plans on Monday, Dec. 29~ ,at MiDomino's
Deli in Greenport (opposite the Gas Station and Mills~ at 10 a.m.
Second: C~,acern for creating "A Capacity for Caring" for the Immigrants
We know that Poppy Johnson was interested in creating a safe haven in
Greenport. Edena Cichanowicz will speak with her about collaborating with the
ABTF on planning a community program.
Elaine Breese recommended that we have an illegal immigrant visit us to
share his/her story - why leaving the home country and experiences here.
That idea was picked up as part of a planned program with the library and
the schools.
Rev. Haywood is concerned about the information he's receiving from high
school students about animosity in the school. Mike Domino was asked to speak
with the high school principal about potential troubles.
Covcern also was expressed about the "camps" that black farm workers
wcrc held i~, and the possibility that immigrant workers may be subject to the same
kind of exploitation.
Resources to turn to: Tom Goodhuc in thc LI Council of Churches
Catholic Charities
Sister Margaret
Immigration Counseling
An educational program for the community to learn about the horrors that
Immigrants have fled from; their efforts to build a hard-working and honest life
here; and the biases and violence they have endured.
Establishing such a program is, what Cindy Smith called, one of our Goals
for 09.
Third: Report by Carolyn Peabody on letter to be sent to Mattituck School Board,
pursuing the concern about bias treatment of workers by staff and students.
Carolyn has broadened the letter to propose a forum including all of the
schools in the Southold Town District. This a current concern, given the Patchogue
school students involvement in the attacks and murder of Marcelo Lucccro.
We have also wanted to deal with the AAUW program on student sexual
harassment, and materials on Teaching Tolerance.
Peter Bel suggested incorporating the idea o tax payers deserving a safe
community.
Merle Levine, in the planning of such a forum, wanted hands-on experiences
and programs that school can replicate (ie, similar to program in Riverhead)
Committee to work on this plan include: Rev. Haywood, Peter Bel, Cindy
Smith, Merle Levine, and any other Board members who decide to join.
First meeting set up for the "School Forum Committee" on Tues, Dec. 23, 10 am at
Mike Domino's Deli. Second meeting on Tues., Jan. 6, 10:30 at Mike's Deli.
In addition:; Eleanor Lingo reported that our plans for developing a super picnic of
our own on the North Fork will have to wait till next year. For now, we will still
need to take part in Southold's Picnic.
Because our usual meeting times will conflict with holidays - our next ABTF
meeting will be on January 12, and then on February 9, 2009.