Crow Wing County commissioners Tuesday agreed to set a public hearing to alter the number of members on the Human Rights Commission.
The Human Rights Commission has 13 members, although it has been difficult to fill a number of vacant positions. When the commission was created in 1998, the commission was set up with each county board member appointing a resident from their district, a representative for each of the three area school districts and five positions at large.
County Administrator Tim Houle suggested continuing as is because there was little cost to the county. Commission members do not receive per diems or mileage reimbursement. And Houle said the county's support for the Human Rights Commission has an important symbolic value in a community that is increasingly more diverse.
Commissioner Paul Thiede said whether such a commission has a positive effect is questionable. Thiede suggested reducing the number of commission members to eight representatives. Human Rights Commission member Carol Rose said the at-large positions allowed the committee to add members who truly wanted to be involved and active. Rose spoke of the educational efforts the commission was involved in throughout the community. The board voted to set a public hearing for a possible ordinance change to allow fewer commission members. Commissioner Rosemary Franzen opposed.
To Subscribe to the Brainerd Dispatch, Click Here.
Note: Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of The Brainerd Dispatch. Please read our posting rules in the terms of service policy. To report a post that may be inappropriate, click the triangle alert icon.
Top Commented Articles
