Fairmont Human Rights Commission

CITY OF FAIRMONT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Minutes of: Regular Meeting October 27, 2021 – 5:30p.m. The duly called and noticed meeting of the City of Fairmont Human Rights Commission was held on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 5:30 p.m., at the Tygart Valley United Way offices and via Zoom. Larry Buckland, Commission Chairperson, called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call of members. Roll Call of Members Members Present: Dani DeVito Miki Demary-Andrew Cyndi Straight Larry Buckland Royce Lyden Jim Nolan Whereupon, a quorum of commissioners was determined to be present for the purposes of conducting the business of said commission as set forth on the Agenda. In RE: Approval of Meeting Minutes from 9/22/21: Minutes were sent out for review by the commissioners prior to the meeting. No discussion took place. Cyndi Straight moved that the minutes be approved. Royce Lyden seconded the motion. Minutes were approved. In Re: Report from Committee on Education and Community Forum: • Jim Nolan o Not a lot to report tonight. This is his last meeting. o Plans to stay as part of the education committee. o Still have a lot of things and forums that we can do and take advantage of. In Re: New Member Update: • The two new members are Dan Swiger and Dustin Merrill. • Cyndi Straight and Larry Buckland were both reappointed. • All City Council members but one voted to confirm all appointees. In Re: Open Citizen Forum:  • Cathy Reed o Council of Churches meeting is on tomorrow on 10/28/21. o The FRN is selling Christmas ornaments. o Wanted to let everyone know that she thought that the COVID vaccine/info event last Saturday was great. In Re: Announcements: • Dani DeVito o Thanked everyone for the last few years. o Will definitely stay involved and is grateful to the new members, as well as Cyndi and Larry for continuing the work we’ve started. o Thanked Jim for all his work on the education committee. • Jim Nolan o Thanked all the original HRC crew. o Said it was difficult at first and that the Commission and our work made him very hopeful. o Thanked Larry for stepping into the leadership role. o Thanks all the newer members for jumping in and wish good luck to Dan and Dustin. o Also thanked all of our “meeting regulars” for all that they do. o Thanked D.D. Meighen for always quietly and persistently pushing us. • Royce Lyden o Suggested that we send a thank you card to Ron Straight for purchasing our banner. o Thanked everyone who showed up at the event at Windmill Park. • Miki DeMary-Andrews o She participated in WVU’s Diversity Week. o Said that Dr. Stephanie Hines is a great resource for us and would be interested in collaborating with us in the future. o Said she was recently appointed to the board of the FRN and that they are doing a Christmas bulb fundraiser. • Cyndi Straight o Thanked Dani and Jim for serving. Said that it was an honor to work with them. o Also thanked those who show up every money, even when it’s not easy to do so. • Larry Buckland o Said that he thought that last weekend’s COVID vaccine/info event was great with the community really coming together. o Thanked Ron Straight for our banner. o Thanked Dani and Jim and is happy to be able to call all the commissioners friends. In Re: Next Meeting Date: • Larry Buckland suggested combining the November and December meetings due to the closeness to the holidays. 2  • Miki DeMary-Andrews moved that we combine the November and December meetings into one meeting to be help via Zoom and in person at the Tygart Valley United Way Offices on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 5:30pm • Cyndi Straight seconded the motion. • Motion carried. Consideration of Business Pending Business: NONE New Business: NONE Financial Report: NONE Events/Forums: NONE Adjournment Miki DeMary-Andrew made a motion to adjourn. Motion seconded by Dani DeVito and carried. Meeting adjourned. Approved this the ____ day of _______________, 2021. ________________________________________ CHAIRPERSON ATTEST: _______________________________________ Secretary 3