The promise of an open meeting in February, improved communications with the community and new leaders came out of Tuesday’s meeting of a reformulated Austin Human Rights Commission.

Wednesday, November 29, 2000

The promise of an open meeting in February, improved communications with the community and new leaders came out of Tuesday’s meeting of a reformulated Austin Human Rights Commission.

The commission has been faltering recently with the lack of participation of some members. The group remedied that situation last night with four new members in attendance who will be certified at the Dec. 18 City Council meeting. A total of seven of nine members attended the session.

The new members joining the panel include Liliana Silvestry, Lee Bjorndahl, Nancy Clark and Gary Morgan. They are joining Virginia Larson, Pat MacLean, Gabe Garcia, Watsana Thiravong and John Hagen on the commission. All attended Tuesday except Thiravong and Hagen.

Commission members discussed at the meeting their role in the community and how they will define it.

New member Silvestry previously sat on a human rights commission in South Bend, Ind., where she worked before joining the Apex Austin Welcome Center recently. In that case, members listened to citizen concerns and referred them to the proper agencies.

In the past, the commission’s mission statement described members’ roles as "educators, monitors and mediators" and claimed that they were trained. This is not the case at present. George Thomas, who works at the Welcome Center and was in attendance, said he is trained in mediation and offered his services to the commission.

Bjorndahl, another new member, said other communities have passed human rights ordinances, which is something Austin may consider. However, members agreed that the primary focus at this time should be awareness.

Community circles, town meetings and open meetings previously held in Austin have waned. Members hope to reinstate them, starting with an open commission meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 in the library conference room.

Morgan informed the commission that attendance at the February meeting would be contingent upon residents’ work hours. This issue caused the members to consider a second meeting, yet unscheduled, at a day and time more convenient for night workers.

Commission members said they hope residents will attend and voice their human rights concerns. From the responses they receive at the open meeting, members will form a plan of action beyond that currently being discussed. At the group’s January meeting, they will decide on a chairman and a secretary, content for an informational brochure, specifics of the February meeting, community circles and mediation training.