Cultural Connections Committee

Nashua Ethnic Awareness Committee Meeting Minutes for October 18, 2012 3:30 pm, City Hall, Room 208 In attendance: Carlos Camacho, Sharon Dalton, Karen Emis-Williams, MaryAnn Melizzi-Golia, Jennifer Hinderer, Scott Jaquith, Tom Lopez, Muchuma Niva, and Ann Ackerman. Absent: Paul Bergeron, the Bradshaws, Patricia Howson, Ronni Karlsberg, Claudia Mahar, Carmen Nunez, John Perez, Andrew Smith, and Tom Woodward. The meeting was called to order. Motion was made to approve the minutes of the September meeting. Motion to amend was made and approved. The minutes were approved as amended (see attached). Old Business: Carol Camacho reported on his follow-up with Mr. Gutierrez, Ms. Orozeo, and Ms. Muite who were at the September meeting. He spoke with each and then met with Hugo Gutierrez. Most of their concerns were related to immigration issues. Officer Camacho is planning to attend one of the Monday night meetings at St. Louis Church (every Monday at St. Louis). These meetings are different from the ones at the Nashua Police Department. Committee members addressed comments from September meeting and concerns in a lengthy question/answer and discussion followed i.e. “profiling”, “officers” knocking on doors or pushing their way into Nashua homes, unclear if those officers were Nashua PD or INS because not always in a uniform, damage to property, fear for personal safety, “warrants” etc. Some of what was discussed/learned:  INS can come into Nashua and serve a warrant without notifying Nashua PD  INS sometimes asks Nashua PD to assist them  Which group knocks and identifies itself first varies  Nashua citizens are encouraged to call 911 and ask for the officer in charge and state what is happening if the residents are concerned re: opening their doors and will be given advice.  An example of racial profiling (traffic incident) outside of Nashua was given and the advice was to call that town Pd and report the incident. It was brought out that in Nashua, the PD has gone to paperless warnings but you can give your name and a stop/officer may be traced. In the surrounding towns, paper v paperless warnings vary but there still should be a way to track who was the policeman.  That racism/discrimination concerns go beyond immigrant communities. Officer Camacho noted that Nashua PD is working to build greater trust with diverse groups so that the members of those communities will feel that they can bring their concerns directly to Nashua PD. Sharon Dalton noted that as a result of September’s meeting, City Clerk Bergeron went to one of the meetings at St. Louis Church to register voters. Also, that maybe well in advance of the next election, members of the committee may want to help reach out to similar groups to hold some special registration sessions and to promote them. Mary Ann Melizzi-Golia said that the Mayor has agreed that the EAC could apply for select grants to meet its goals and more diverse activities. Previously, the EAC wrote an endorsement letter for a grant to hire the coordinator for the Gate City Initiative. That grant has now expired. New Business: A report of the meeting with Mayor Lozeau was given by Ann Ackerman. Mayor Lozeau shared information of her meeting with representatives of Lutheran Services and what was happening with the Gate City Initiative. Mayor Lozeau confirmed her support for a reception of diverse groups and brainstormed with the EAC members. She will also provide some funds for light refreshments. It was noted by Ann Ackerman that representatives of Lutheran services had to cancel for our meeting but would come at a later meeting. Next meeting is to be November 16th. There will be not December meeting. Motion to adjourn was made and approved.