Sie sind auf Seite 1von 21

 

FREDERICK COUNTY
HUMAN RELATIONS
COMMISSION

ANNUAL REPORT FOR


FISCAL YEAR 2009
1
Frederick County Board of Commissioners

Jan H. Gardner,
President

David P. Gray,
Vice President
& HRC Point Person

Kai J. Hagen

Charles A. Jenkins

John L. Thompson, Jr.

Ronald A. Hart,
County Manager

Barry Stanton,
Assistant County Manager

Frederick County Attorney’s Office

Linda B. Thall,
Senior Assistant County Attorney
HRC Legal Liaison

2
Frederick City Liaison to the HRC

Donna Kuzemchak,
Frederick City Alderman

Frederick County Public School Liaison to the


HRC

Sharon Boettinger,
Frederick County Public Schools

Frederick County Citizens Services Division

Margaret Nusbaum,
Division Director

Frederick County Human Relations Department

Henry L. Templeton,
Department Director

Denise M. Smith,
Administrative Specialist

3
Frederick County Human Relations Commission

Samuel J. Bennett, Jr., Chair


Hayden B. Duke, Vice Chair
Jack A. Thomas, Sr., Treasurer
Felicia C. Turner, Parliamentarian
Angela O. Spencer, Member at Large
Irene Packer-Halsey
Elizabeth L. Chung
Ernell E. Graham
Charlotte Lawson Davis
Karl W. Bickel
Sandra M. Baker
Adeyemi A. Adeoye
Joseph I. Berman
G. Michael Corrigan
Garth C. Phoebus

4
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 Chairman’s Comment Letter to County Commissioners

 Origin & History of Human Relations in Frederick County

 Executive Summary

 Case Processing

 Activities of the Human Relations Commission

 Matters Affecting Discrimination Trends in Frederick County

5
SERVICES DIVISION
FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLAND
Human Relations Commission
520 North Market Street ● Frederick, Maryland 21701
301-600-1109 ● FAX 301-600-2085 ● TTY Use Maryland Relay
www.co.frederick.md.us

COMMISSIONERS

Jan H. Gardner July 1, 2009


President

David P. Gray
Vice President
The Honorable Board of County Commissioners
Kai J. Hagen Frederick County, Maryland
12 East Church Street
Charles A. Jenkins Frederick, Maryland 21701
John L. Thompson, Jr.
Re: 2009 Human Relations Commission’s Annual Report

Dear Commissioners:
COUNTY MANAGER
The Frederick County Human Relations Commission (HRC) is pleased and honored
Ronald A. Hart
to present the FY ’09 Annual Report to you on behalf of each of its members. The
report provides the Origin and History of Human Relations in Frederick County, an
CITIZENS SERVICES Executive Summary, case processing information, activities of the Human Relations
DIVISION Commission, and matters affecting discrimination trends in Frederick County. With
the tasks that are currently under way and those on the horizon, the HRC
Margaret L. Nusbaum
Division Director
collectively decided against recommending any new legislation or changes to
existing Code and Regulations for FY ’10.

DEPARTMENT OF As the current and 2nd term Chair of the HRC, it is my privilege to present this
HUMAN RELATIONS report to you and interested others in the greater Frederick County community. As
Henry L. Templeton
well as the aforementioned information, this report will provide for you a synopsis
Director of proposed programs and short-term initiatives on the following:

 The HRC Strategic Plan


 The establishment of Community Relations, Government
Relations and Internal Relations committees
 Training on the Appeal Hearing Process
 First Annual HRC Legislative Luncheon
 Frederick County Code Revisions
 HRC By-Law consolidation and revisions
 The HRC Peace and Harmony in Diversity Quilt

With a mixture of both challenges and promising opportunities, FY ’09 was unique
in many ways. With the appointment of a full-time Director for the Human
CHARACTER COUNTS! and the Six Relations Department (HRD) in November 2007, a host of promising opportunities
Pillars of Character are service
marks of the CHARACTER began to unfold for the HRC. The HRD Director has provided guidance and
COUNTS! Coalition, a project of the
Josephson Institute of Ethics. support for the HRC on many different levels, and has helped to present
CITIZENS
www.charactercounts.org
opportunities for many “firsts” for the HRC.
6
With increased and positive media coverage that the HRC received in FY ‘09, we feel that
community support of HRC duties, functions and activities have grown by leaps and bounds. On
behalf of the entire HRC, I again want to again thank each of you for your support and
confidence - and vow the HRC’s collective and individual best efforts in ensuring and supporting
optimal human relations in Frederick County. We look forward to continuing our work toward
bettering human relations in Frederick County as well as partnering with you to create an
atmosphere of caring and tolerance in Frederick County.

Sincerely,

Samuel J. Bennett, Jr. Chair


Frederick County Human Relations Commission

cc: Human Relations Commissioners


Ronald A. Hart, County Manager
Barry L. Stanton, Assistant County Manager
Margaret Nusbaum, Citizens Services Division Director
Linda B. Thall, Senior Assistant County Attorney
Henry L. Templeton, Human Relations Department Director

7
Origin & History of the
Human Relations in Frederick County

Early 1960’s Citizens organized Inter-Racial Committee meetings. Amid the local, state and national
tension of the times, people began to meet to address equity and discriminatory issues
in Frederick.

Late 1960’s Originally the Committee was a Frederick City work group. The Human Relations
Council was formed and it was changed to a County-wide work group.

1987 The University of Maryland, Institute for Governmental Services studied the Council
and recommended a separate Human Relations Commission and Human Relations
Department.

1989 With increased formal authority by legislative action, the Council achieved
Commission status. By resolution (no. 89-24) and ordinance (no. 89-48-579) the
County Commissioners established the Frederick County Human Relations
Commission (HRC) and the Frederick County Human Relations Department (HRD).
The HRD was authorized to accept complaints in the areas of housing, employment
and public accommodations on the basis of race, age, sex (gender only), religion,
marital status, disability, color and national origin.

1990 The regulation of the Frederick County Human Relations Commission was adopted by
the County Commissioners.

1999 County Commissioners amended the County’s anti-discrimination regulation to allow


no less than three Human Relations Commissioner’s to hear appeals to Human
Relations Department complaint determinations (Resolution 98-15).

8
2001 Resolution No. 01-08 added to the anti-discrimination regulation, a provision against
retaliation, and added the authority of the Human Relations Department, after
consultation with the County Attorney’s Office, to issue a subpoena to compel the
attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of records and documents
relevant and necessary to complete an investigation of authorized complaints.

2003 Governor Ehrlich signed enabling legislation HB 396 giving authority to the County
Commissioners to vote to give remedial authority to the HRC.

2004 The County Commissioners by a 4-1 vote authorized the HRC to grant equitable relief
only, to sustained victims of local discrimination. The Equitable Relief proposed
ordinance was presented at a County Commissioner’s work session on November 20,
2002. The HRC approved Rules of Procedure to support a fair process, September 27,
2003. A public hearing in the matter was held December 16, 2003. The equitable relief
authority became effective January 2, 2004.

2006 In 2005, the General Assembly amended Section 2-2-68 of the Frederick County Code to
require the Human Relations Department to investigate certain complaints alleging
discrimination as to familial status and source of income. The Human Relations
Department asked the Board of County Commissioners to amend the regulations of the
Human Relations Commission to formally give the Department the power to investigate
complaints of familial status and source of income discrimination in housing. A public
hearing was held on this Resolution on February 21, 2006. This Resolution was
approved and adopted on February 21, 2006.

2008 On July 29, 2008, the Human Relations Commission voted to adopt new regulations,
which must, in turn, be approved by the Board of County Commissioners by resolution
prior to becoming effective. The new regulations reorganized and restated earlier
provisions, including those related to the procedures for filing complaints, conducting
investigations, conciliating complaints, making preliminary and final determinations and
decisions, holding hearings, awarding relief, and processing appeals.

9
These regulations also added definitions for “age discrimination” and “disability,”
amended the definition of “employer” to make the definition consistent with Section
2-2-68(d)(1)(iii) of the Frederick County Code, deleted the definition of
“physical or mental handicap, change the term “affirmative action” to “equitable
relief”, and allow for the filing of complaints of familial status discrimination in
employment. Additional changes were made to reflect the inclusion of the
Department of Human Relations into the Citizens Services Division in 2005 and to
clarify the method by which a decision to dismiss a complaint my be challenged in court.
A public hearing was held on this Resolution and the proposed regulations of the Human
Relations Commission on October 21, 2008. The Resolution was approved and adopted,
and became effective on October 21, 2008.

2009 The Human Relations Commission asked the Board of County Commissioners to
strengthen the language in Section 1-2-93 of Chapter 224 of the 1988 Laws of Maryland,
which currently describes certain discriminatory practices as being contrary to the public
policy of Frederick County, to state that discrimination in Frederick County is unlawful.
Section 1-2-93 would also be amended to define discrimination as an act that is unlawful
under State or Federal law when based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age,
marital status or disability. At the same time the Board of County Commissioners also
wished to amend the Ordinance to replace the term “physical or mental handicap” with
the term “disability,” to include a definition of “disability,” and clarify the extent to
which familial status and source of income discrimination are also against public policy
and unlawful in Frederick County. A public hearing was held on this Ordinance on
April 21, 2009. The Ordinance was approved and adopted on April 21, 2009.

10
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

► Henry L. Templeton assumed the HRD Director’s position on November 26, 2007. The HRC was without
the benefit of a full-time Executive Secretary from the HRD for six months prior to Mr. Templeton’s
appointment. We are confident that his knowledge and professionalism has added value to the HRC and the
entire Frederick County Government.

► At the July 29, 2008 monthly meeting, the following HRC Officers were installed for FY ‘09:

 Samuel J. Bennett, Jr. – Chairperson


 Hayden B. Duke – Vice Chairperson
 Jack A. Thomas, Sr. – Treasurer
 Karen Sheffer-Tucker – Parliamentarian
 Michael North – Member at Large

► G. Michael Corrigan, Felicia C. Turner and Joseph I. Berman were appointed by the County Commissioners
to serve on the HRC in July 2008.

► The County Commissioners approved recommended changes to the HRC Ordinance. The proposed changes
would make discrimination “unlawful” in Frederick County, and would also replace the term “handicap” with
“disability”.

► Several HRC members attended Commissioner training on November 14, 2008. The training was sponsored
by the Maryland Association of Human Rights Agencies.

► Felicia Turner was appointed HRC Parliamentarian to replace Karen Sheffer-Tucker who resigned because
of employment demands.

► The County Commissioners voted to approve the HRC’s request to consolidate and streamline their already
existing Regulations. The request was approved on October 21, 2008.

► The HRC contracted with Marc Scott, Frederick Community College, to facilitate two planning sessions to
develop a three year Strategic Plan for the HRC. The planning included developing a Mission Statement, a
Vision Statement, and Objectives, as well as an Action Plan. After completing the initial draft of the Strategic
Plan, Mr. Scott suggested that the HRC form committees to take on the most pressing issues first. The Strategic
Plan was presented to the County Commissioners for comment. As a result of the Strategic Plan the following
sub-committees were established:

 Government Relations Committee


 Community Relations Committee
 Internal Relations Committee

11
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
(continued)

►The HRC sponsored a “Get Acquainted” luncheon with Maryland State Senators, Delegates and the
Frederick County Commissioners.

► On November 10, 2008, an official request was received for an appeal hearing by the HRC to a decision
made by the HRD after an investigation, that there was no reasonable cause to believe that employment
discrimination (Termination) occurred on the basis of (Familial Status/Pregnancy), as the complainant had
alleged. After reviewing the file, the HRC Hearing Panel affirmed and upheld the finding of the HRD, and
denied/dismissed the appeal. The complainant was advised that she had 30 days to appeal the HRC’s decision
to the Circuit Court for Frederick County in accordance with Title 7, Chapter 200, of Maryland Rules of
Procedure.

► On December 5, 2008, the HRC sponsored a “Human Rights Day” Open House at C. Burr Artz Library. The
County Commissioners signed a proclamation proclaiming December 5, 2008 as “Human Rights Day in
Frederick County”. The HRC unveiled their Peace and Harmony in Diversity Quilt at the Open House. Connie
Castenera, who designed the quilt, attended and discussed the origins of the quilt. The quilt was presented to
the County Commissioners to be displayed at Winchester Hall permanently after it has been on display at the
schools that participated in designing quilt patches.

► Additional Commissioner training was held on March 24, 2009 for those HRC members who were not able
to attend the November 14th training. The training was facilitated by Michael Carlis, Administrative Law
Judge, and Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings.

► Angela Spencer was appointed HRC Member at Large to replace Michael North who resigned for personal
reasons.

► The HRC was a presenting co-sponsor for the second annual Pangaea Frederick Festival and Naturalization
Ceremony, which was held on Saturday, May 9, 2009. The HRC’s participation included planning and staging
the Naturalization Ceremony. Sixty-three individuals took the Oath of Allegiance to become naturalized
American citizens at this year’s ceremony. The Oath was administered by officials from the U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services.

► HRC’s 2009 annual Awards Program was held on Monday, April 6, 2009. One student from each Frederick
County public high school and the Maryland School for the Deaf were recognized for their human rights
achievements, and presented with a $200 scholarship. Awards were also presented to a local organization and
two individuals for their human rights efforts in the community.

► In May 2009, the HRC began the process of updating and modifying its By-Laws and Rules of Procedures.
This process should be completed within the next few months.

12
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
(continued)

► The HRC is currently working on a response to the Frederick Police Department’s 2007 and 2008
affirmative actions reports. A combined HRC report for 2007and 2008 will be completed and submitted to
Chief Dine by early August 2009.

History of the HRC’s Involvement in the Frederick Police Action Plan

In (1994), the City of Frederick entered into a Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice in the case of Willie J.
Mahone v. Richard Ashton, et al in the Circuit Court of Maryland for Frederick County, Case No. 2984L. The
said stipulation provides for the implementation of an Action Plan. In accordance with the Action Plan the
HRC is charged with issuing an annual public report of the efforts made by the Police Department to implement
a Recruitment Plan, and the degree of success that the Recruitment Plan has had in reaching the goals set by the
Affirmative Action Plan, which is to include African-American Officers in a percentage no less than the
percentage of African-American adults between the ages of 21 and 70 in the adult population of the City.

► In fiscal year 2009, Frederick County faced several issues that caused the community to be divided along the
lines of race and national origin, i.e. the ongoing community strife following the death of an African American
youth who died after being struck by a Taser, the agreement between the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office and
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (287g) to deport criminal illegal immigrants, just to name a few.
Like so many other communities throughout this great nation, Frederick County is facing many challenges.
One goal of the HRC is to help find common ground, so that we as a community can work together to resolve
human rights issues when they arise, and to foster a climate of peace and harmony.

13
CASE PROCESSING

On November 10, 2008, an official request was received for an appeal hearing by the HRC to a decision made
by the HRD, that there was no reasonable cause to believe that employment discrimination (Termination)
occurred on the basis of Familial Status/Pregnancy, as the complainant had alleged.

After a thorough review of the file, the HRC Hearing Panel affirmed and upheld the finding of the HRD, and
denied/dismissed the appeal request. The complainant was advised by certified, return receipt mail on March
27, 2009 that her request had been denied.

On April 1, 2009 complainant was further informed that she had 30 days from March 31, 2009 to appeal the
HRC’s decision to the Circuit Court for Frederick County in accordance with Title 7, Chapter 200, of Maryland
Rules.

14
MONTHLY ACTIVITIES OF THE HUMAN RELATION COMMISSION

2008

July As an outcome of the HRC Retreat on January 19, 2008, the HRC began the process of
consolidating their various enabling documents. After several meetings with Linda Thall,
recommended changes were drafted by the HRD. The proposed changes that were
recommended went before the full HRC for a vote. A unanimous vote was taken to move
forward with the proposed changes as presented.

The HRC’s request that proposed comprehensive changes to the HRC Ordinance be included in
the County’s 2009 Legislative Packet was forwarded to the County Attorney’s Office.

The following individuals were appointed to serve on the HRC Budget Review Committee:

Jack Thomas, Sr.


Hayden B. Duke
Elizabeth Chung

The Budget Review Committee met with HRD staff to discuss projected 2009 expenditures.

G. Michael Corrigan, Felicia Turner and Joseph Berman were appointed to the HRC by the
Frederick County Commissioners.

August Planning began for the 2008 Human Rights Day Celebration. The Celebration was held on
December 5, 2008, and consisted of an Open House and a proclamation signing by the County
Commissioners.

Planning sessions for the HRC three year Strategic Plan were held on August 2, 2008 and August
23, 2008, at Frederick Community College. The sessions were facilitated by Mr. Marc Scott,
Business Consultant-Customized Trainer, Frederick Community College. After completing the
planning sessions, Mr. Scott submitted his initial comments and his transcribed notes to the HRC
for review, along with a draft working document. Mr. Scott recommended that the HRC form
small committees to take on the most pressing activities in the plan first. The following
committees were established:

♦ Outreach Committee – Hayden B. Duke


♦ Legislative Committee – Karen Sheffer-Tucker & Charlotte Lawson-Davis
♦ Management Committee – Jack Thomas

The names of the committees were later changed to Community Relations, Internal Relations and
Government Relations

15
HRD staff recommended that the HRC form a committee to work with staff to review and
re-structure (not change) Mr. Scott’s draft document. The following members volunteered to the
on the Strategic Planning Finalization Sub-Committee:

Sam Bennett, Jr.


Hayden B. Duke
Michael Corrigan
Ernell Graham
Michael North

On May 8, 2008, the HRC received a report from CASA De Maryland regarding Immigration
Enforcement. In the report, CASA made allegations of patterns of discrimination by the
Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, such as racial profiling and increased immigrant
incarceration rates at the Adult Detention Center. The report included recommendations that the
HRC:
(1) Initiate an investigation into racial profiling at the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, and
(2) Initiate an investigation into why the ADC Latino population has experienced a precipitous
jump in the number of arrested.

CASA requested a planning meeting with HRC members to discuss these issues and to plan a
hearing. HRC members Michael North and Hayden B. Duke agreed to join HRD staff for a
meeting with CASA representatives to consider a format, the rules, the date and time for a
hearing. The planning meeting was scheduled to be held on October 22, 2008.

September Members of the HRC participated in the 2008 Latino Festival. This event was held on
September 28, 2008 at Frederick Community College. It was well attended and served as a
positive forum to enhance human relations as well as matters of understanding diversity in
Frederick County. HRC members who attended include Sam Bennett, Felicia Turner, and
Hayden B. Duke and Jack Thomas.

The HRC Strategic Planning Finalization Sub-committee invited the full HRC to attend a
follow-up session to make final adjustments to the three year Strategic Plan. The follow-up
session was scheduled for October 14, 2008.

The HRC sponsored a “Get Acquainted Luncheon” on September 4, 2008 at the Delaplaine
Visual Arts Education Center. Invitations to the luncheon were extended to Maryland State
Senators and Delegates for Frederick County, and the Frederick County Commissioners. This
was an unprecedented event for the HRC that provided an opportunity to personally get
acquainted and to brief the invited guests on human relations matters in Frederick County. The
HRC believes that such informal “get-togethers” will foster an environment of mutual
understanding, camaraderie, and teamwork.

A Work Session before the County Commissioners was held on September 2, 2008 to discuss
and vote on the consolidation and streamlining of the HRC Regulations. Several HRC
members attended the Work Session.

A Work Session before the County Commissioners was held on September 9, 2008 to vote on
what will be included in the County’s Legislative Packet. Several HRC members attended the
Work Session.

16
October A Public Hearing before the County Commissioners was held on October 21, 2008 to discuss
and vote on the consolidation and streamlining of the HRC Regulations. The County’s 2009
Legislative Packet was also discussed at the public hearing. Public input was received on
whether or not to include the HRC’s legislative request in the Packet.

HRC members and HRD staff attended the annual “In The Streets” festival on October 5,
2008. HRC members passed out brochures and answered questions. This was a great
opportunity for the HRC to make the community more aware of its existence, and to educate the
community on its functions and duties.

Due to reasons that were out of the HRC’s control, the initial planning meeting with
representatives from CASA was cancelled. The HRC agreed to draft a letter to CASA to
inform them that the HRC had instructed its Community Relations committee to conduct
additional deliberations on CASA’s request prior to setting a specific date for a hearing.

Modifications to the HRC Regulations were approved by the County Commissioners at the
October 21, 2008 Public Hearing.

At a County Commissioner’s Work Session on October 28, 2008, the Commissioners approved
a recommendation to remove the HRC’s request from the County’s Legislative Packet, and
begin the process of amending the HRC Regulations locally. The HRC worked with the
County Commissioners and the County Attorney’s Office to get the language perfected that
will make discrimination “unlawful” as well as contrary to public policy in Frederick County.

November The Maryland Association of Human Rights Agencies sponsored a Commissioner Training
Conference on November 14, 2008, at Howard County Community College, in Columbia,
Maryland. Seven HRC members attended the training. Sam Bennett commented that one of
the most important segments of the training was the training on the appeal hearing process.

The HRC discussed an appeal hearing request that was received in an employment case on
November 10, 2008. The case was investigated, and a finding was made on the merits of the
case by the HRD. Upon appeal, the case was certified for public hearing by the HRD, and
turned over to the HRC. A panel of three HRC members reviewed the case file to decide
whether to uphold the finding of the HRD, or to conduct an independent appeal hearing.

Sam Bennett attended a Hispanic Forum at Shepherd on November 1, 2008, at the request of
Jan Gardner, President, Frederick County Commissioners. Mr. Bennett was invited to provide
an overview of the duties and functions of the HRC, and to discuss the difference between the
HRC and the HRD.

The HRC Community Relations sub-committee was appointed to serve as the planning
committee for the Awards Program. The Awards Program was held on April 6, 2009
.
December The HRC Human Rights Day Celebration was held on December 5, 2008. The event was very
well received, although not well attended. The HRC Peace and Harmony in Diversity Quilt
was unveiled at the celebration. The quilt was on display at The Banner School prior to being
presented to the County Commissioners. The permanent home for the quilt is Winchester Hall.

17
History of the Peace and Harmony in Diversity Quilt Project

The quilt project was sponsored by Frederick County Human Relations Commission and
Friends. Connie Castanera was the Quilt Coordinator. The quilt project originated from the
HRC 2006 Human Rights Day Planning Committee. The 2006 theme was Frederick
Reimagined, Our Roots, Our Dreams, Our Vision, A Gathering for Social Harmony. Through
the use of 6” x 6” quilt patches, ceramic, posters and other artwork, Frederick’s diversity and
the concept of peace and harmony in Frederick County was visualized. Most of the quilt
patches were designed by students from The Banner School, Middletown Middle School, and
Governor Thomas Johnson High School. Patches were also designed by Howard County
Office of Human Rights and Connie Castanera.

Adeyemi Adeoye and Garth Phoebus were appointed to the HRC by the Frederick County
Commissioners.

2009
January In terms of substance, the HRC approved the final version of the Strategic Plan. The HRC
submitted a copy of the Plan to the County Commissioners, along with a cover letter under
Samuel Bennett’s signature, which explained the process the HRC went through to develop the
Plan and its Milestones. The County Commissioners were invited to make comments on the
Plan as presented.

An HRC Appeal Panel was appointed to review the complete file of the case on appeal to the
HRC. A minimum of three people must be appointed to the Appeal Panel. The Appeal Panel
consisted of:

Samuel Bennett, Jr.


Sandra Baker
Jack Thomas, Sr.

The County Attorney’s Office gave the HRC legal guidance on this matter. After reviewing
the case file, the Appeal Panel was charged with making a determination on whether an appeal
hearing would be held, or whether the HRD’s finding of “No Probable Cause” to believe that
discrimination occurred would be upheld.

February The HRC spent considerable time in the month of February planning for the 2009Awards
Program (April 6, 2009), and the Naturalization Ceremony/Pangaea Frederick Festival (May
9, 2009).

The HRC submitted a letter of congratulations and support for the Frederick Police
Department’s 2009 re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law
Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

Angela Spencer was appointed the serve as Member at Large on the HRC Executive
Committee.

18
March A County Commissioners Work Session was held on March 3, 2009 to request approval to
amend Section 1-2-93 of the Human Relations Ordinance to state that Discrimination is
Unlawful in Frederick County.

After meeting with the County Attorney’s Office, the HRC Appeal Panel concluded that the
HRD conducted a thorough investigation of the complaint that was on appeal to the HRC, and
that it would not be in the public’s interest to conduct a hearing. The Appeal Panel affirmed
and upheld the finding by the HRD that there was “no reasonable cause to believe that
employment discrimination (termination) had occurred on the basis of Familial
Status/Pregnancy”, and denied/dismissed the appeal request. The HRC’s decision along with
instructions on what the next level of appeal would be for the complaint was put in writing and
sent via certified mail to both parties involved in the case

Samuel Bennett wrote an article for his weekly Frederick News Post column about the HRC
Awards Program, and encouraged the public to submit nominations to the HRC for the various
awards to be presented. Mr. Bennett wrote several articles for his newspaper column in
support of HRC events and activities.

The HRC received annual reports from the Frederick Police Department for 2007 and 2008 on
their affirmation actions recruitment efforts. The HRC Government Relations Committee will
review both reports and prepare a response.

On March 24, 2009, the HRC sponsored Appeal Training for those HRC members who were
not able to attend the training in November 2008. The appeal training work shop was
facilitated by Michael Carlis, Administrative Law Judge, Maryland Office of Administrative
Hearings.

Charlotte Lawson Davis was appointed to the HRC by the Frederick County Commissioners.

April A Public Hearing before the County Commissioners, to add “Unlawful” language to the
County Code was held on April 21, 2009. The County Commissioners voted unanimously to
approve the requested language change to the County Code.

The HRC held its annual Human Rights Awards Program on Monday, April 6, 2009 at
Ceresville Mansion. This event recognizes and celebrates County residents, businesses,
organizations and students for their commitment to increase diversity awareness and end
discrimination. One student from each of the public high schools in Frederick County and the
Maryland School for the Deaf (a total of ten students) were recognized. Other awards
presented this year included:

♦ Carl Hildebrand, CPA received the Theodore W. Stephens Achievement Award


♦ GAL PALS Program received the Human Relations Award
♦ Reverend Peter V. Sum received the Lord D. Nickens Community Service Award

The HRC Internal Relations Committee was charged with reviewing and recommending
changes to the current By-Laws and Rules of Procedures. The HRD was asked to conduct the
initial review of the documents, and to make recommended changes to the HRC Internal
Relations Committee.

19
The HRC appointed a Nominating Committee for the upcoming HRC Election of Officers for
FY ’10. The following members were appointed:

Angela Spencer – Chair


Sandra Baker
Joseph Berman

The Naturalization Ceremony and Pangaea Frederick Festival were held on May 9, 2009, at
the West Ridge Square Shopping Center, Frederick. The HRC was responsible for planning
and assisting in the execution of the Naturalization Ceremony. Sixty three individuals took
the Oath of Allegiance to become American citizens at the ceremony. Commissioner David
Gray was the guest speaker for the event. The HRC also set up an information booth at the
Pangaea Frederick Festival.

At the HRC’s May 26, 2009 monthly meeting, the HRC Nominating Committee presented
the following slate of nominations for HRC FY ’10 Officers:

 Hayden B. Duke, Jr.- Chairperson


 Angela Spencer - Vice Chairperson
 Jack A. Thomas - Treasurer
 Felicia Turner - Parliamentarian
 Irene Packer Halsey - Member at Large

June HRC Election of Officers was held at the June 30, 2009 HRC meeting. The floor was opened
for nominations. The results of the election will be made available within a few days.

20
MATTERS AFFECTING DISCRIMINATION TRENDS
IN FREDERICK COUNTY

IMMIGRATION
[287 (g)] Like so many other communities throughout this great nation, Frederick County is facing many challenges. Perhaps, there is
none greater than finding and implementing appropriate solutions to matters of immigration – both legal and illegal. A myriad of
factors have come together at this time to cause tension in the community at large surrounding this program. Fortunately, segments of
the community have been able to sit down together to discuss some of the issues and concerns about 287(g). We thoroughly believe
that the community at large will continue to work toward common ground on this issue.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS 

[Providing Police Services] The aforementioned community tension, born of divergent views concerning immigration and related
matters, has acerbated the already difficult duties of law enforcement. There is a considerable divide in the community on how best to
provide policing services.

VALUING DIVERSITY 

[Lunar New Year] The Chinese Lunar New Year which took place in February is an annual event that highlights one of Frederick
County’s many diverse communities. This event is a fitting and proper addition to the many events taking place in February, which is
Black History Month.

[Naturalization] No single event captures the spirit and promise of diversity, in its entirety, quite like the annual Naturalization
Ceremony. 2009 was the second year that the HRC had an opportunity to partner with the City of Frederick to present the Pangaea
Frederick Festival and Naturalization Ceremony.

[Pangaea Frederick] The twenty-one year old custom of celebrating Fredericks cultural diversity with ethnic music, food,
performances and a naturalization ceremony, was held on Saturday May 9, 2009. This year’s event has grown tremendously. Pangaea
is expected to repeat this success annually, showcasing Frederick County’s commitment to diversity and equal opportunity for all.

21

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen