Schellenberg wants to shrink Human Rights Commission

[Tacachale]

The HRC works well as it is. The larger group allows for more continuity between administration changes and reduces the chance the council will become politicized. In contrast, it's hard to escape the conclusion that this measure is political. Considering the City Council's recent weak record on human rights issues, the last thing Jacksonville needs is for the council to embarrass the city with yet more bad press.

[Jimmy]

Jacksonville is huge.  Due to consolidation, we have a massive city and our City/County boards and commissions are going to necessarily reflect that we have such a large population and such a large geographic area to cover.

If we hope to have a JHRC that reflects the diversity and vitality of our whole community, we need to maintain a Commission of 20.

Our City Council is large for similar reasons.  This effort by CM Schellenberg should be resisted.

[tufsu1]

^ Schellenberg stated that there are close to 100 boards and commissions of the City....and that all but four or five have 11 members or less.

[tufsu1]

I spoke with Mr. Schellenberg yesterday.  While I don't agree with him in this case, he made a cogent argument for why he is proposing this bill.  He quite simply believes that 20 members is too big (and yes, he believes 19 members on Council is also too big).  Apparently, if the 3 spots up for nomination are negated and the vacant seats left unfilled, there would be 12 members on the board.  So, in order to get to an odd numbre, he is suggesting 11.

Whether you agree with him on policy or not (I rarely do), make no mistake....this guy is not another Don Redman.

Lol.  I guess he saw you coming, TUFSU.

well I was sitting at his table

[Tacachale]

^ Schellenberg stated that there are close to 100 boards and commissions of the City....and that all but four or five have 11 members or less.

I bet few of those were reduced to that size by a City Council "emergency" measure that could be perceived as political maneuvering. The HRC works perfectly well with its current number of *unpaid* members.

[Debbie Thompson]

Get busy with the emails.  Here are ordinance numbers and mailing lists.

2013-75 is the resolution to reappoint Parvez Ahmed to the Human Rights Commission. The other appts are 2013-76 and 2013-77. 

2012-296 was the failed attempt at an HRO that made Jax a laughing stock.  Really? It was about equal rights to housiing and jobs. 

2013-86 is the ill conceived ordinance that will reduce the Human Rights Commission to 11 members, which would negate 2013-75, 2013-76 and 2013-77 (the appointments.) 

The council agenda has the appointments first, and the reduction of members second, so look for the re-appointments to be turned down unless you speak out against that first.   If the re-appointments are turned down, the reduction is kind of a moot point.  It will be accomplished already, basically, and all Council has to do is rubber stamp it.

Clay@coj.net
WBishop@coj.net
RClark@coj.net
Redman@coj.net
LBoyer@coj.net
MattS@coj.net
Gaffney@coj.net
EDLee@coj.net
WAJones@coj.net
RBrown@coj.net
Holt@coj.net
doylec@coj.net
Gulliford@coj.net
JimLove@coj.net
KimDaniels@coj.net
JRC@coj.net
Joost@coj.net
GAnderson@coj.net
RLumb@coj.net

[Jimmy]

^ Schellenberg stated that there are close to 100 boards and commissions of the City....and that all but four or five have 11 members or less.

It runs a wide gamut.  The most I've seen on a regulatory board (like the JHRC) is 27 members, which is the Ryan White Planning Council.  Elder Affairs has 19.  A lot of boards and commissions do have 11-13 members. 

But there doesn't seem to be any articulated reason to reduce an existing commission which is well-functioning as comprised.

[tufsu1]

if that's a dig at me, please speak English

[Debbie Thompson]

Alrighty then!  Can we get back to lobbying the city council?  Too important an issue to play tit for tat, don't you think?  LOL

[Dog Walker]

An hour ago, Mr. Shellenberg agreed to remove his legislation to reduce the number of commissioners from "emergency" status so that it will be handled in due course like any other legislation.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/City-Council-showdown-over-Human-Rights-Commission/-/475880/18514454/-/rk35inz/-/index.html

[Jimmy]

We still held the press conference at 4:30 outside. 

Now, in addition to defeating 2013-86, we also need to reject the notion of deferring nominations to the Commission.  Councilman Schellenberg wants a moratorium on new appointments until his bill is resolved.  That could be weeks or months and is no reason to hold up the lawful Commission process.

[Dog Walker]

Deferring nominations is just his way of blocking someone from the Commission that he doesn't like.  Bigot!

[tufsu1]

DW....I'm not sure calling him a bigot is appropriate....unless of course you know for sure that he is against a specific candidate due to their race, gender, ethnicity, etc.

[sheclown]

The most intelligent argument last night was a woman who spoke against this reduction of the number of commissioners in light of the other commissions with greater numbers.  I believe there are 87 commissions more than a dozen have a greater number than the human rights commission. 

Problem with this argument is that the council believes anyone can't see through the shame? 

Hypocrites.   

Stand up and speak your mind!!  (Except you, Kimberly Daniels. We're not talking about over-sharing).

[Dog Walker]

DW....I'm not sure calling him a bigot is appropriate....unless of course you know for sure that he is against a specific candidate due to their race, gender, ethnicity, etc.

What he does speaks so loudly I cannot hear what he says.