Human Relations Committee

LACONIA HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE Special Meeting 25 September 2023 Room 200A, Laconia City Hall The special meeting of the Laconia Human Relations Committee was opened by Chairperson David Stamps at 3:30 pm. Roll call for attendance was taken. Present were Rev. Judith Wright, Seifu Regassa, Carol Pierce, David Stamps, Patrick Wood, Kay Anderson, Heather Stanley, Matt Soza. Minutes by Patrick! A quorum being present the meeting was called to order. Also in attendance and recognized by Chairman Stamps were Ward 4 Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Mark Haynes and Eric Hoffman. Mr. Stamps outlined the events of the past few days and the involvement of the “Critical Incident Committee” of the Human Relations Committee, David Stamps, David Osman, and Patrick Wood, and Mayor Andrew Hosmer with City Manager Kirk Beattie on Monday, September 18, 2023, to discuss the antisemitic graffiti on a building at the former State School property. Mr. Stamps also discussed the follow up meeting on Tuesday afternoon, September 19th, with Mayor Hosmer, Police Chief Matt Canfield, City Councilor Bruce Cheney, County Attorney Andrew Livernois, School Board Chair Jennifer Anderson, Rabbi Jan Katz of Temple B’Nai Israel, Ira Keltz, President of Temple B’Nai Israel, David Stamps, David Osman, and Patrick Wood as well as the person whose name was painted on the building along with Councilor Mark Haynes, and representatives of the Laconia Daily Sun. Mr. Stamps stated that both Rabbi Katz and Mr. Keltz expressed their deep gratification and appreciation for the prompt and comprehensive response of the City of Laconia to this act of hatred and antisemitism. He also told the committee that the group decided to issue a statement on behalf of the City of Laconia denouncing these acts of hatred and intolerance, to publish an ad in the Laconia Daily Sun expressing the strong support of the Laconia Community for our Jewish brothers and sisters and Temple B’Nai Israel, and to ask the Laconia Human Relations Committee to organize a vigil on October 8, 2023. Trish Wetherbee suggested the Laconia Human Relations Committee publish a similar ad monthly with additional signatures. Also discussed was the possibility of publishing similar ads in some of the local weekly papers. Costs will be obtained for those ads and this will be discussed at the regular meeting in October. Discussion about the format of the Vigil was held. It was agreed that Chairman Stamps would open the program and we would ask the following to speak for about 2 minutes each – Mayor Hosmer, Police Chief Canfield, School Superintendent Steve Tucker, County Attorney Andrew Livernois, Reverend Campbell Lovett, Rabbi Katz, Ira Keltz, Judge James Carroll, and perhaps someone from the Community College. Notices of the vigil and invitations should be sent to City Councilors, our School Board members, our State Representatives, our State Senator, our Executive Councilor, and our County Commissioner. Notice of the vigil should be published in the Laconia Daily Sun. “The Laconia Human Relations Committee invites all concerned citizens to join us in a vigil of support for Temple B’Nai Israel and its members following the despicable graffiti found on a building at the State School. The vigil will be held Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 1:00 pm at Opechee Park adjacent to the North Main Street parking lot. Come and stand with us against all expressions of hate and intolerance and stand for the inclusion of all members of our community – ALL ARE WELCOME IN LACONIA!” The next meeting of the Laconia Human Relations Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 3:30 pm in Room 200A, Laconia City Hall. Respectfully submitted, Patrick Wood Secretary Pro Tem