Human Relations Committee

CITY OF LACONIA – HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE April 12, 2021 3:30pm - Monthly Meeting Via Zoom MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER a. David Stamps welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Laconia Human Relations Committee. Committee member roll call was taken, a quorum was established, and the meeting was called to order at 3:30pm. The Chair reviewed procedures related to public access to electronic meetings as required under Governor Sununu’s Emergency Order #12. II. ATTENDANCE a. Present - Chair David Stamps, Mayor Andrew Hosmer, Carol Pierce, Rev. Judith Wright, Patricia Weatherbee, Matt Soza, Margaret Donnelly, Kate Bruchacova, Carrie Chandler, Secretary, Kay Anderson, David Osman (Acting Secretary for this meeting.) No members of the public joined the Zoom conference to observe or participate. b. Excused – Janet Simmon III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES & FINANCIALS a. Minutes of March 9, 2021 were approved b. Financials for 2021, 3rd quarter were approved IV. Elections a. Carrie Chandler was reelected Secretary. b. David Stamps was reelected Chairperson V. OLD BUSINESS a. Homeless Task Force Mayor Hosmer reported that while there is some interest by the founders of the Isaiah 61 Café to acquire and use the adjacent “Pittman’s” property for a low/no barrier temporary cold weather shelter a number of concerns were being voiced in the community and various approaches were being considered and weighed and considered by various interest groups. The concept and location(s) and related issues continue to be a work in progress The Calvary Assembly Church has cooperated with the Task Force on certain recent cold nights sheltering people with only one reported and isolated problem which was dealt with efficiently. b. Holocaust and Genocide Education David Osman gave a general review of the relatively new legislation mandating these subjects being taught in the public schools and the Commission’s work developing proposed curriculum guidelines. Members were told that they could, on their own, thank the members of the commission for their important efforts, if they wish to do so. There was some discussion about other recent proposed legislation, e.g. HB 544 and the impact, if any, were it enacted and signed into law, and held constitutional, it might have on the Holocaust and Genocide curriculum law. Carol, Pat and Kay volunteered to work with David to create a document of potential local public interest about this subject. c. Community Engagement Program Democracy Letters: Carol Pierce has had two letters published in the Laconia Daily Sun and has more to publish. There was some discussion about how to potentially enhance more public discussion about the topics expressed in these letters and to encourage more people LHRC Minutes – p.1  with diverse backgrounds and experiences to express their thoughts and hopes for democracy. VI. NEW BUSINESS a. Asian American and Pacific Islander Racism and Misogyny Asian American and Pacific Islander Racism and Misogyny: Margaret related the impacts of her lifetime exposure to this bigotry. It is real and exists and recent events are, sadly, nothing new. David Osman moved that the following resolution be adopted by the Board as a statement of the Committee : “The City of Laconia, NH Human Relations Committee condemns, in the strongest possible way, anti-Asian bigotry and violence and acknowledges the remarkable contributions and accomplishments of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders to our community and to our nation.” The motion was seconded by David Stamps and it passed unanimously with the expressed hope that it will be published as a statement of Laconia community values. b. Other Mayor Hosmer and others expressed a hope that the Community could have important presentations and discussions about the vital issue of an honest exploration of history, which might mean a hard look at the threads of racism and prejudice and injustices even if those discussions have the potential to be “uncomfortable” for some to discuss. VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS No Public was present VII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 4:56 PM. Next meeting will be held on Monday, May 10, 2021, 3:30p, via Zoom. Respectfully Submitted, by David Osman and David Stamps LHRC Minutes – p.2