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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 12/01/1970N •0 FORT COLLINS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS Commission Meeting December 1, 1970 A meeting of the Fort Collins Commission on Human Relations was held at 225 Second Street on Tuesday, December 1, 1970. Present: Dr. Parker Preble Father Edward Ostertag Mr. John Bustos Mr. Earl Kiely Mr. Penfield Tate Mr. Dean Olson Mr. John Moore Mr. David James Mrs. Dorothy Godinez Mrs. Lupe Giron Mrs. Pernie Atherly Also: Mr. Ernest Andrade Mr. and Mrs. Bueno Mrs. Jane Tester Mrs. Luise Fierce Vista Workers: Linda Hagstrand Marianne Potts Absent: Mrs. Nancy Landers Mr. Gerald Templer Mr. Ralph Braden The meeting was called to order by the Chairman and the Secretary was asked to read the minutes. Minutes were read and approved. Dr. Preble reported that he, Jerry Templer and Nancy Landers had met with Mr. Clyde Moffitt on Wednesday, November 18, 1970. A copy of the By-laws was presented to Mr. Moffitt and the functions and limita- tions of the Commission were explained to him. The purpose of this meeting was to try to initiate dialogue between Mr. Moffitt and members of the minority groups in Ft. Collins, Mr. Ernest Andrade reported that a meeting had been held with Mr. Moffitt and representatives from the Mexican -American Organizationsin the Community. He could not give any details of the meeting since he had not been present. The suggestion was made to establish contact with all parties involved and determine whether or not they were satisfied with the outcome of the meetings. N •0 Human Relations Commission Commission Meeting December 1, 1970 Page 2. Father Ostertag made a motion that, if needed in the future, we should initiate a meeting between all parties to iron out any differences that arise. Motion seconded by David James. Motion carried. A copy of the letter from the League of Women Voters to the City Council reccommending a full time Human Relations Executive was read to the commission. A letter from Dr. Ferdinand Baer, President of the Fort Collins Chapter, National Petition Committee, was read stating that the Century Mall had refused to let them petition in the Mall by stating that it was not allowed in any form. One week later, a petition drive for return of prisoners -of -war had taken place in the Mall. He was questioning the legality of their refusal and bringing it to the attention of the commission. A report was presented by Dr. Preble of the year's activities of the Human Relations Commission. It was reported that 0. E. 0, funds for the United Day Child Care Center were totallly expended and that funds must be raised or the center cease to operate. The question arose as to why funds were cut and if any pressure could be exerted to get more funds through 0. E. 0. Dean Olson will contact Jim Beatty and report the facts at our January meeting. Mr. Ernest Andrade presented a complaint from the Mexican -American Community plus other interested citizens concerning the dumping of raw sewage, by truck, into a man hole near a residential area. The community had complained many times before and had promises that it would cease but nothing had been done. They asked our support in their efforts to have the dumping area closed. Mr. Penfield Tate made the motion that if the facts as reported to us are true we should make every effort to urge the city and county to take immediate effective action to eliminate the conditions. Motion seconded by Mrs. Lupe Giron. Motion carried. Mr. Tate volunteered to write the City Council of our decision. The following is a copy of this letter: Human Relations Commission Commission Meeting December 1, 1970 Page 3 December 2, 1970 The Honorable Karl Carson and City Council City Hall Fort Collins, Colorado Gentleman: At its monthly meeting held l December 1970, the Human Relations Commission received a complaint from members of the Mexican -American Community of Fort Collins relative to the present practice of dumping raw sewage into a manhold adjacent to a residential area. The citizens raising the complaint indicated that the practice has been carrying on for a number of years and that their efforts to achieve cessation of this practice have thus far had no effect. They recited to the Commission a number of unsatisfactory and unsanitary conditions which arise from the dumping of raw sewage in this area. Because of the brief time span between the receipt of the complaint and the hearing on the matter by you gentlemen, the Human Relations Commission is unable to make an independent investigation of the facts. However, the citizens have indicated that on a number of occasions members of the City Government have observed the practice and that you gentlemen perhaps have personal knowledge of the conditions that exist. The Human Relations Commission takes the position that if these conditions exist as they were related to us, then the City of Fort Collins ought to take immediate and effective action to eliminate these conditions as quickly as possible. We would urge you to do whatever is necessary to relieve our citzens from this uncomfortable position. Sincerely, Fort Collins Human Relations Commission !* Human Relations Commission Commission Meeting December 1, 1970 Page 4 The Secretary was asked to notify Mr. Bill Thomas, Manager of Faith Realty, of our next meeting. He is to let us know what had been done about use of the controversial flyer, discussed at our October 6 meeting. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Mrs. Walter Atherly Secretary