[ad_1]
AMHERST – We are seeking candidates for the new committee that will promote diversity, equity and inclusion, and community safety in Amherst.
While the city council continues to discuss the formation of the Committee on Community Security and Social Justice, a successor group to the Working Group on Community Security, city manager Paul Bockelman campaigns for residents to be needed for the seven-member body that deals with the issue of ending structural racism and achieving racial justice for black residents.
While his indictment is still being finalized by the city council, the committee has significant support from city councilors, and Bockelman said he wants to begin soliciting applications, conducting interviews and making appointments so the committee can begin its work.
Two of the initial appointments will be current members of the Community Safety Working Group, and at least five of its members will represent blacks, indigenous peoples, blacks, or other historically marginalized communities.
The committee is expected to continue what the working group has done and to support the upcoming Diversity, Equal Opportunities and Inclusion Department, the Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service program, and respond to the needs of BIPOC and others enter marginalized groups, including disabled people, immigrants and LGBTQ + people.
Bockelman said he is interested in finding people who represent a wide range of the city’s socio-economic diversity and scholarships are expected to support this.
Last week the city council discussed at length the composition of the committee and whether the members should receive compensation.
City Councilor Mandi Jo Hanneke said she was concerned about whether the commission fee is wide enough to benefit the entire community and whether her mission could result in necessary expenses such as living expenses.
Hanneke was also concerned about her racial makeup.
“I support a BIPOC majority in the committee, but I would vote four out of seven, not five,” said Hanneke.
Pat Ononibaku, a member of the Community Safety Working Group, said people of color did not benefit from the city’s resources and were not at the table with white residents.
“This is a committee that we envision will make real change in this city,” Ononibaku said. “BIPOC people have to be the majority in order to bring about change.”
“We’re tired of waiting, we can’t wait anymore,” she said.
District 4 city councilor Evan Ross said the committee’s paying members would look at its socio-economic makeup.
“I think this is a perfect place to start,” said Ross.
Bockelman said that if all committee members receive a scholarship, it means that the city’s payroll will be increased by 200 people, and there is no budget for it.
“We believe that a scholarship could inspire some people to join the committee,” said Ononibaku.
Ellisha Walker, co-chair of the Community Safety Working Group, said no scholarship would be an obstacle to participation.
Meanwhile, Bockelman is also seeking volunteers for a number of other boards and committees including the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees, the Agriculture Commission, the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee, the Community Conservation Advisory Committee, the Aging Council, the Design Review Board, Advisory Committee on Accessible Access, Committee on Public Shade Trees, Advisory Committee for Residents and Advisory Committee for Transport.
Anyone interested should have a community activity form below. to complete www.amherstma.gov/caf, and those with questions can reach out to the city’s Citizen Participation Officer at [email protected].
Scott Merzbach can be reached at [email protected].
[ad_2]
