By Tim Hrenchir, Topeka Capital-Journal, June 12, 2010
The Topeka Human Relations Commission will hold a town hall meeting focusing on its future on Thursday, two days after the Topeka City Council is set to consider disbanding the city's human relations department.
THRC director Rio Cervantes-Reed said the meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. in the first-floor conference room of the city's Cyrus K. Holliday Building, 620 S.E. Madison. Reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities must be requested by Tuesday by calling the THRC at (785) 368-3606 or e-mailing lhardesty@topeka.org.
Cervantes-Reed said she will share with the public what she sees as being the future of the THRC, a nine-member board of volunteers appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council.
The council is expected at its 6 p.m. meeting Tuesday in its chambers at 214 S.E. 8th to consider city manager Norton Bonaparte's proposal to cut costs by abolishing the human relations department, which also would bring about the termination of the department's three employees.
The proposal would allow for the city to still maintain the city's volunteer, nine-member THRC, which would continue to offer such services as public forums, education and outreach opportunities. Bonaparte proposes the city use its existing staff to carry out any work the THRC needs done.
Ensuring fair and equal rights for all Topekans in the areas of housing, employment and public accommodation is the mission of the human relations commission and department, the latter of which employs a director, an office assistant and a civil rights investigator.
Cervantes-Reed said Friday: "Obviously there will be big changes to discuss if the council does vote to abolish the department and enforcement duties. However, if the department is retained, as director it is incumbent upon me, our staff and commission to assure our residents, the city council and administration that we continue to work hard in the face of economic challenges to eliminate discrimination in Topeka through our enforcement efforts. Regardless of the outcome of the council vote, we welcome Topekans to share with the commission their thoughts on how THRC and the community can move forward."
Tim Hrenchir can be reached at (785) 295-1184 or tim.hrenchir@cjonline.com.