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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/19/2014 Anti-bias Task Force of Southold Town Minutes of Meeting 5/19/14 Present: Mike Dominic, Leroy Heiliger, Louise Hug, Carolyn Peabody, Loretta Hetzel- , Cindy Smith, Marjorie Day, Susan Dingle Mike chaired the meeting in the absence of Co-Chairs Eleanor Lingo and Jean Le Pre. Review of minutes: Corrections noted. Motion made and passed to accept minutes as amended. Reports from schools Mattituck Carolyn and Leroy went to school board meeting, presenting books in memory of Frank Le Pre. The books were accepted and will be put in library. Loretta reported taking the books to Our lady of Mercy, and Cindy presented them at Greenport. ERASE racism Carolyn reported on the efforts of the sub-committeee to enroll key community leaders in attending the training that will be offered at BOCES Westhampton on June 30-July 1: Scott Russell will be attending the training. Attempts were made to meet with Mayor Nyce of Greenport, but he has not returned calls. Met with Ganberg, who agreed to attend. It was suggested that Mr. Kulesa, the history teacher in Greenport, be recommended as a possible attendee. It was noted that athletic coaches are being required to take sensitivity training. Cindy and Loretta spoke with Chief Flatley to recommend budgeting for police representative to attend the training. Right now Police Dept is understaffed, and may not be able to send someone. Met with community relations person at ELIH, who said that the hospital provides sensitivity training. Susan will confirm who will attend from Riverhead School. It is confirmed that Rev Kelley and Rev. Saunders of Southold Presbyterian will attend. Rabbi Gadi Capela will also be attending. Leroy reported having a conversation with the pastor of Mattituck Presbyterian. Southold Fire Department will be sending a representative, with the understanding that the representative will make a presentation to the Fire Department. The ABTF will assist with this presentation. Bo Polack of Greenport may be invited, after article in paper, and the Village of Greenport will be asked to pay. Carolyn reports that we now have a list of 21 people. It was suggested that after the training that the ABTF host a follow-up meeting at Peconic community center, to provide a forum for bringing the training back to the community. We will research getting a large banner for the ABTF. Susan will request an estimate from Ink Spot. A motion was made and passed to provide a scholarship to CAST, and to help subsidize others who might want to attend. Picnic Picnic is Saturday, August 9. Last year Loretta and Val chaired the subcommittee. This year, Louise, Val and Loretta will chair. It was noted that the newest Task Force member had requested being involved in this event. Thursday is proposed as day for picnic subcommittee meetings and this is agreed, with meetings at Ebenezer's Deli in Greenport. The first meeting is scheduled for Thursday June 5@ 10am. New Business Introduction of resume of new member, Sonia S. Spar, who will be joining us. Following discussion, a motion was made, seconded and passed that a welcome aboard letter be sent, with brochure and by-laws, to be written by Carolyn. It was moved, seconded and passed that we present retiring Superintendent Jim McKenna with a letter or a certificate on June 3rd @ 7:30. Wording of letter/certificate will be drafted by Susan, with Carolyn to review. Leroy introduced article about Greenport Skate Park. Discussion of the vandalism, history of skateboard park, its funding, and lack of supervision. This issue can serve as a springboard to discussion of need to address the issue of racism in Greenport. Discussion of skateboard park and how it benefits all children, and ABTF concern aboutt the graffiti. Youth bureau should get behind this, especially re: administration of skateboard park, lack of oversight. Discussion was initiated about whether it would be worthwhile to have ABTF liaison with police commission advisory. Carolyn presented a review of the PC advisory mission, as part of her report to ABTF from the Human rights commissionmeetingt-- all precincts in Riverhead have open community meetings. Discussion of benefit of possible advisory board from the community. Liaison for people in the community who are undocumented and may want to report something. What if we had something like this, with people from the town reporting on what's going on. Discussion proposed that ABTF members talk informally with town officials about the possibility of the police advisory board being expanded to include representative community members. Motion was made, seconded and passed that ABTF initiate this conversation with police and Southold town board about having police commission advisory board expand to include community representatives. Meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Susan Dingle