Tuesday, February 24, 2004
FARRELL, Pa. -- A former city councilwoman said the city needs to do more than just update its human relations ordinance.
The city needs to find money to restore the human relations commission staff so that investigations of complaints can be done, said the Rev. Martha Sanders, shortly after council passed first of two required readings of an ordinance replacing its old human relations law.
Atty. Steve Mirizio, city solicitor, said there have been a number of changes in civil rights and human relations laws since the old ordinance was enacted in 1985 and the new law brings the city up to date.
He noted that the nine-member commission has the power to investigate complaints, conduct hearings and negotiate settlements on behalf of the city.
The city has contracted with the Shenango Valley Urban League to handle complaints, he said.
Sanders said that unless the city funds its own staff directly for the HRC, Farrell just has a law on paper.
Mayor William Morocco said the city allocates $10,000 a year from its federal Community Development Block Grants for the Urban League to serve in the place of an HRC executive director.
The city needs its own HRC office in the city building, Sanders replied.