Human Relations Committee

Laconia Human Relations Committee Monthly Meeting April 15, 2024 - Monday 3:30pm – 5:00pm City Hall Rm 200A & Zoom Agenda Welcome and Introduction of New Members Roll Call Review and Acceptance of March 11, 2024, Meeting Minutes Work Groups  MLK Event Committee – minutes of February 26, 2024, meeting are attached  Endowment for Health Committee – minutes of March 13, 2024, meeting are attached  Banners/flags on City Property Committee – waiting to hear from City Manager  Rally/Sign Committee – minutes of March 21, 2024, meeting are attached Old Business  Yom Ha Shoah – May 4th – with Temple B’nai Israel and Greater Laconia Ministerial Association  Multicultural Festival  Anonymous Letters New Business  Discrimination Issues – People with Mental Illness or Disabilities  Authority of work groups  Vision and Mission Statement review  Other Business  Next Meeting Room 200A, Monday May 8, 2024, at 3:30 pm also via Zoom Public Comment – The public is invited to offer their opinions. Initially, they will be limited to four minutes until all have had an opportunity to speak. Each person is constrained to their time period or to ask questions of the committee. Everyone is expected to speak respectfully. If on Zoom, the public will be visible but muted until unmuted by the chair. Members of the public wishing to speak will use the “raise hand” option. ------------------------------------------------------ Note: The meeting will also be held online through Zoom and will begin at 3:30pm although people are encouraged to check in early. You are invited to a Zoom webinar. Topic: Human Relations Commission Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81922296874?pwd=M0E4a1pES0VGV0Rsa1hmT0ZDU3Bmdz09 Passcode: 793636 Or One tap mobile: US: +16465588656,81922296874#,,,*793636# or +13017158592,,81922296874#,,,,*793636# Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 Webinar ID: 819 2229 6874 Passcode: 793636 International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k661pCha  Laconia Human Relations Committee March 11, 2024 Meeting Minutes I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Patrick Wood 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 3:30 pm. II. ATTENDANCE Present – Chair Patrick Wood, Carol Pierce, Mayor Andrew Hosmer, Rev. Judith Wright, Matt Soza, Janet Simmon, Heather Stanley, Trish Weatherbee, David Stamps, Kay Anderson, Patricia Okinedo and Richard Littlefield. Zoom – David Osman and Jasmine Sanborn Excused – Carrie Chandler and Seifu Ragassa Pat Wood introduced and warmly welcomed Patricia Okinedo as a new committee member. III. OLD BUSINESS Minutes Approval – Motion was made by David Stamps, seconded by Matt Soza, to accept the minutes of the February 12th, 2024 Laconia Human Relations Committee meeting (LHRC); with no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. Sub-Committee Work: Martin Luther King Jr Celebration – The first subcommittee meeting definitely decided to have event at Colonial again. Endowment for Health – There is a meeting in Manchester on March 20 with another city recipient who is interested in discussing the process. Banners –The city council is expected to discuss this policy at tonight’s meeting. Concern was expressed about time line for banners to be approved for pride month. The Laconia Congregational Church is being asked to sponsor the Pride banners. Discussion included maybe making a rainbow cross walk like in Ogunquit, Maine. It was suggested do flags and banners first. Motion was made by David Stamps, seconded by Rev Judith to table this discussion, the motion passed unanimously. Vigil/Signage – Matt stated the sub-committee’s plan is to have 2 demonstrations per month for 3 months. These demonstrations with be city wide: in front of city hall, the loop on Main St, Busy Corner, Lakeport Square, Wyatt Park, and the Weirs. Plan to have all in place by April or May. Discussion concerning vigil/demonstration participants adhering to LHRC guidelines. No approval from city council is needed, but a city permit is needed if demonstration is on city owned property. Suggestion was made to put an article in the newspaper to advise the community what LHRC is doing, to find people interested in joining LHRC in these demonstrations, to define how quickly LHRC is able to respond to such calls for leadership. Although there can be an exception for an emergent meeting, LHRC needs to get advisory opinion if we want to respond quickly. (where to get advisory opinion?)  Discussion continued with suggestion that if a more rapid response is needed in the community perhaps that response be organized by community members. The signs at vigil/demonstration is a matter of free speech, free speech authorized by the government is government speech. Any LHRC misstep could allow people to apply a narrative to the misstep that is pure fiction. Does that mean if LHRC is organizing vigil/demonstration then we are representing the city government? If city is limiting the content on signage, does that interfere with free speech. Will the signs be consistent with the mission and vision of LHRC? Are we limited to just signs, can there be messages on flyers or other forms of messaging? Any subcommittee can have a demonstration, the subcommittee chairperson can be asked to just give the go ahead. The MLK subcommittee took action for a march without LHRC approval. The approval exception is the financial piece, for finances, LHRC approval is necessary. A question was asked about the expected presentation on the right to know law, 91A. The chairperson stated this is still being set up with Kirk Beattie. Question asked if any LHRC members can attend subcommittee meetings without being a member of the subcommittee? Yes, public is invited. Yom HaShoah – On May 4th, at Temple B’Nai Israel, there will be a showing of the Sharp’s War movie by Dr. Benaquist from Keene State. The event will be sponsored by the Greater Laconia Ministerial Association. Multicultural Festival – The Multicultural Festival Board met on the 18th at 10am, not well attended. Although Becky is on the committee, she will not be director, will not organize program, entertainment, vendor management. There will be a meet up at Belknap Mill to stuff and mail donations letters. Letter to editor will be sent to advertise. This event has a separate board, it is not LHRC. LHRC provides funding only. Question asked if Becky has been keeping records of management of program. No response. Anonymous Letters – Discussion put off til next meeting. Incident – Trish reports she has been unable to meet up with the person who was referred to LHRC with a personal concern, due to COVID issues. She will continue to follow up. One LHRC member shared his experience of witnessing dehumanizing behaviors of those with mental illness or substance use disorder while he was present in emergency room. Another LHRC member advised when LHRC first formed, there were discussions with the NH Human Rights Commission, who provided a format to talk to individuals and then report the information to the commission. Another LHRC member reminded the committee when someone in another community had a negative experience being targeted by a group, she was invited to come to the meeting and the committee was supportive. IV. NEW BUSINESS Vision and Mission Statement reviewno discussion V. PUBLIC COMMENTS There was opportunity but no public comments were made. VI. ADJOURNMENT The Meeting was adjourned by the chair at 5:00pm. Next meeting is scheduled for Monday April 15, 2024, room 200A, at 3:30 pm also via Zoom. Respectfully Submitted, Trish Weatherbee, Recording Secretary  Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Planning Committee Notes February 26, 2024, at 10 am At the Unitarian Universalist Society of Laconia, NH Present: Janet Simons, Matt Soza, Trish Weatherbee, Rev. Judith Wright Unable to be present: Richard Littlefield, Jasmine Delgado Discussion : Brain-storming session. Some ideas generated: nothing decided as of yet: -Dancing and singing including more participation, even bringing people up to the stage. -Possibility of connecting with the Interact Club at the High School. Students do community efforts. -Tech school, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Restorative Justice (adults in recovery). -“Warm people’s hearts – Dr. King’s legacy is a living legacy.” -Quilting group – have children be part of making a quilt. -Deb Brady – artist in Meredith. Prescott farm – Larry Frates. In terms of location, this gathering thought the Colonial Theater would be best for next year’s celebration. Next Meeting will be held at The Unitarian Universalist Society of Laconia, 172 Pleasant St, Laconia, NH on April 5, 10 AM, 2024. Respectfully submitted by Rev. Judith Wright  Laconia Human Relations Committee - Grant Steering Committee March 13, 2024 Minutes David Stamps called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm. Attendance: David Stamps, Heather Stanley, Patricia Okinedo, Carol Pierce, Patrick Wood, David Osman (by Zoom) David Stamps began with a review of the $20,000 grant to the Laconia Human Relations Committee from the Endowment for Health to help “build greater resident connections and trust building across difference[s] by organizing intentional social interaction type events.” David continued by explaining that he met with Mayor Hosmer recently and that the Mayor expressed considerable interest in having author Tracy Kidder and Dr. Jim O’Connell come to Laconia to discuss the issue of homelessness and what Dr. O’Connell has been able to accomplish in Boston. The book is entitled “Rough Sleepers.” David Stamps also briefly discussed the City’s beginning discussions about establishing some Pallet housing on City-owned property off Messer Street. David Osman mentioned the failure of the efforts in Gilford to obtain Town-owned property to build a group home for adult citizens who are dealing with various developmental and mental disabilities – the NIMBY effect. There was a brief discussion of the three major matters that were previously discussed – homelessness, mental illness, and affordable housing – that would be the focus of the efforts of this committee. Carol Pierce reminded us of our prior efforts to strengthen democracy and build inclusivity and these need to be part of our efforts as well. It was agreed that we could start with a presentation by Dr. O’Connell and Tracy Kidder, hopefully at the Colonial Theater, which would be followed by discussions in various parts of the City. David Osman suggested the possibility of sponsoring a community read of Ms. Kidder’s book. It was agreed that we see how well this format works before planning additional presentations on other issues. Carol Pierce noted that Beth Vachon of Lakes Region Mental Health had strongly urged that we consider the issue of child care as well as mental health. We then discussed the need to gather the larger planning committee and locations were considered, including the Taylor Community and the Lakes Region Mental Health common room. Carol Pierce would check with the Taylor Community and if that would not work David Stamps would contact Beth Vachon at LRMHC. Patrick Wood said he would contact the Putnam Fund to see if they would sponsor Dr. O’Connell and Ms. Kidder. He will also contact the local bookstore to determine the cost and availability of the book, “Rough Sleepers”. Potential meeting dates of April 3 or 4, April 10 or 11, or even April 17 or 18 for meetings of the larger group will be sent to the contact list for the larger group once a location has been established. Meeting adjourned at 4:00 pm. Respectfully submitted, Patrick H Wood Secretary Pro Tem Minutes: Rally/sign subcommittee meeting. Subcommittee of Laconia Human Relations Committee. Held on Thursday March 21 from 4:00-5:00 at City Hall in Laconia. Present: Subcommittee Chair/Secretary Designate Matt Soza, Pat Wood, Carol Pierce, Richard Littlefield, Eric Hoffman Call to Order/Roll Call at 4:00. Discussion of whether to move forward with rallies featuring signs as a positive response to recent instances of hate speech. Decision by subcommittee that, given recent discussion at meeting of full LHRC, & remarks by LHRC members, subcommittee can move forward with rallies as long as no city money is spent, & as long as we do not dictate specific sign content but only invite community citizens to attend carrying their own sign messages expressing general themes. In effect we are providing & promoting a platform for concerned citizens. Decision to try for two rallies a month for three months starting in April. That will allow time to promote the concept. Promotion methods will include a press release, letters to the editor, & subcommittee members contacting area organizations they are affiliated with. Decision to call this campaign 'Rallies for Unity & Tolerance.' Goal was set to hold rallies on Fridays & Saturdays, usually between 4:00-6:00 in afternoon, possibly some in morning or at noon time. First planned rally date set as Friday April 19. Depending on number of participants, may try for two or three locations in downtown Laconia: on the loop at Main St., on N. Main between Library & Laconia Clinic, on road by City Hall. Second planned rally date two weeks later, Friday May 3. Examples of sign messages will be slogans subcommittee had already developed: Hate Has No Place in Laconia Don't Hate--Educate Inclusion Starts Here Viva Love Other suggested messages: United for Democracy, United Against Racism, United Against Bigotry, United for Tolerance, United Against Fascism, Stronger Together Decision that anyone can participate as long as their message is consistent with rally theme. Extreme or objectionable content cannot be part of a rally. No partisan political messages supporting a particular candidate or party. Possible future plans include perhaps posters or lawn signs featuring some of these or similar messages, depending on community response to sign rallies, & recognizing that any use of city money or direct government speech would involve a lengthier approval process. Meeting adjourned at 5:10pm. --Submitted by Matt Soza