Human Relations Committee

City of Laconia – Human Relations Committee May 10, 2021 MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER 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 3:36 pm. The Chair reviewed procedures related to public access to electronic meetings as required under Governor Sununu’s Emergency Order #12. II. ATTENDANCE Present – Mayor Andrew Hosmer, Chair David Stamps, Carol Pierce, Rev. Judith Wright, David Osman, Janet Simmon, Matt Soza, Margaret Donnelly, Trish Weatherbee, Kay Anderson, Kate Bruchacova and Carrie Chandler Excused – none III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES A motion was made by Matt Soza, seconded by Judith Wright, to accept the minutes of the April 12, 2021 Laconia Human Relations Committee meeting with one correction (meeting held on Monday not Tuesday). A vote was taken and the minutes were accepted as written. IV. OLD BUSINESS Homeless Taskforce Taskforce is working on outreach to provide medical care – partnering with local agencies to send out teams of people as resources for substance use, mental health services and to build relationships. The Isiah Café is looking at ways to create a buffer between the building and Wow Trail. There is no additional information related to using Pitman’s as a shelter. A Covid vaccination clinic for the homeless is planned for next week. Multi-Cultural Festival Multi-Cultural Festival has been cancelled this year due to the ongoing nature of COVID. 1 V. NEW BUSINESS Commission on Holocaust and Genocide Education June 20th marks the one-year anniversary of the Governor’s committee. David Osman drafted an article to represent the values/mission of the Laconia Human Relations Committee. The writing is a mandate that schools provide age-appropriate genocide education. The group will meet again to include why this is relevant to Laconia today. The committee agreed that the newspaper article be a statement submitted by the Laconia Human Relations Committee. A public forum via zoom to follow. Trans Athletes There is another movement to suppress transgender students. It was suggested that a meeting be arranged with the committee to discuss how this is affecting the schools and to determine the role/response of the committee. Judith, Carol and Margaret will reach out to the below:  Matt Canfield – Laconia Police  Maggie Pritchard – Lakes Region Mental Health Center  Steve Tucker – School Superintendent Community Education Program A series of articles featuring views on democracy are in the works; including –  High School students  Kate Bruchacova  Seifu Regassa  Margaret Donnelly VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS There was no one present for public comment. VII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 4:50p by the Chair. Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 14, 2021, 3:30p via Zoom invite. Respectfully Submitted, Carrie Chandler, Recording Secretary 2