Human Relations Committee

Laconia Human Relations Committee Quarterly Meeting – December 17, 2019 City Hall Rm. 200A Minutes Chairman David Stamps called the meeting to order at 3:00 PM. Present: David Stamps, Carol Pierce, David Osman, Denny Bothamley, Janet Simon, Margaret Donnelly, Rev. Judith Wright. N.B. Mayor Ed Engler was able to join the meeting for a portion of the time. Chairman Stamps indicated that Kathy James had submitted a letter of resignation. Chairman’s Report • The September 17, 2019 Meeting Minutes were reviewed and a motion to approve was made, seconded and passed without exception. • Chairman Stamps gave a summary of the Financial Report indicating that there is, at present, a $1,903.52 asset balance and that we have paid our share toward the upcoming multicultural day. It was moved and seconded to accept the report and passed without exception. • David Stamps mentioned that there was an informative series of articles in the New York Times titled the 1619 Project on the as well as a PBS series regarding Native American History. Denny Bothamley indicated that a book entitled “The Mayflower” also provided perspective. • Mayor Engler provided some background about the “Sunshine Project” and how the Laconia Daily Sun received a grant from The Endowment for Health as a result of a published white supremacist’s letter to the editor. • Mayor Engler offered kind words of thanks for the efforts of the Committee and high praise for the enduring wisdom and perspective of Carol Pierce over many years of service. Your pro temp, Secretary will paraphrase his advice by recounting the beginning of the Hippocratic Oath, “Do no Harm.” • David Stamps related his recent communications with Mayor Elect Andrew Hosmer who voiced his 100% support of the Vision and Mission of the Committee and expressed a desire for the Fire Department and Superintendent of Schools to be involved and also mentioned that he would like to see more diversity on the Committee. Subcommittees • There was nothing new to report regarding The Multicultural Festival. • The Communications subcommittee had nothing new to report. • The Dr. Martin Luther King Day planning was discussed. The Venue has not been chosen yet but should be soon with a general preference for the Beane Center if it’s available. • Discussion of the Immigration Initiative was deferred as Kate was not available to attend. LHRC Dec. 17, 2019 Minutes – p.1  • Film Festival, Carol indicated that the upcoming January film is the Japanese film “Departures.” New Business • A motion was made and seconded to accept the subcommittee’s draft of the Mission Statement and Vision Statement but with a motion by Margaret to remove the third sentence of the makeup of the Committee which was seconded by Carol. The amendment was passed and the amended Mission and Vision Statements were passed. • We were reminded by David Stamps and Mayor Engler that the Mayor’s Inauguration will be held on January 9th at 7:00 PM at the Belknap Mill on the 3rd floor. • David Osman discussed the MLK program which will include the film about the life of Jonathan Daniels. One the producers and director, Professor Benaquist, will attend. David discussed the cooperation of the Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and it’s Outreach Director, Tom White. David also discussed his recent discussion with the Board of Trustees of Temple B’Nai Israel of Laconia about the possibility of working with the Human Relations Committee on one or more projects relating to social justice and anti-Semitism. One idea being discussed at a very preliminary level is the possibility of attendance at next year’s Kristallnacht commemoration in Keene. • It was moved and seconded to increase the budget for the upcoming MLK commemoration to $700.00. • There was also discussion about holding additional public events similar to the MLK events but under more generic titles. It was agreed that the MLK organizing committee continue would discuss possible future events. • Carol Pierce reported that there was an active and enthusiastic group of c. 20 students in a Social Justice class taught by Rick Crockford at the High School who are interested in interfacing somehow with our Committee. Due to the snow, the High School had cancelled afterschool programs. • Rev. Wright, David Osman and Denny Bothamley will meet on January 3, 2020 to be a subcommittee regarding a “Human Rights Recognition” Award. Chairman Stamps ended the agenda portion of the meeting and invited any members of the public attending to speak and both Jim Thompson Matt Soza spoke. Mr. Thompson thought there should be some emphasis at the MLK commemoration about progress made in the US about civil rights since the 1960’s. Mr. Sosa expressed similar sentiment. The meeting adjourned at c. 4:45 PM Submitted by David Osman, Secretary Pro Tem LHRC Dec. 17, 2019 Minutes – p.2