‘Change always begins on the ground’

Town to look at racism and public health

ORANGE — The Board of Selectmen voted to make an oral statement that racism is a public health crisis and to form a task force to explore the issue.

The board did not create a written resolution stating that racism is a health crisis, after a motion was made to do so.

Following a showing of residents in favor of a resolution at a prior forum, the board recently had a discussion of the issue before taking the vote to form a task force and to make a statement.

First Selectman Jim Zeoli said he is in the process of choosing task force members. He said the task force would be small, as to be manageable – about five people – and he will look for a “fair blend of personalities.”

The first vote they took to create a resolution failed by a tie vote.

Town Attorney Vincent Marino warned against narrowing the scope of any declaration or resolution to health care, as it could have legal significance and “unintended consequences.” He said it could trigger the reallocation of public funds and that could impact the town’s school system, Police Department and other agencies.

Marino said that is his legal advice, although through personal experience he agrees with the concept supported strongly at the recent meeting by Democrats Mitch Goldblatt and Margaret Novicki. Marino said that racism is a type of bullying against people of color. He recommended a task force.

Selectman John Carangelo, who also is an attorney, said he agreed a resolution could affect the town financially and suggested the compromise of an oral statement, along with the task force, which is what the panel agreed to do.

The original declaration request, adopted in several other

Connecticut communities, acknowledges the impact of racism on health conditions and outcomes for people of color, as well as enabling government to tackle inequitable policies that reinforce institutional racism.

First Selectman Jim Zeoli has said regarding the proposed resolution that racism is a worldwide issue and “far from the scope” of duties of the Orange Board of Selectmen. He has also said the resolution was too narrow.

At the beginning of the meeting

where the board acted, Zeoli expressed skepticism at the idea of a resolution, stating, “When you start talking about the dismantling of systems and injustices,” it can lead to actions such as defunding of police and social services and he’s not in favor of such actions.

In response to Zeoli’s comments, Novicki said the declaration movement has is not related to defunding police.

Novicki, a strong proponent of declaring racism a public health crisis here, said leaders in the community have a responsibility to set an example and demonstrate that Orange is a “welcoming community,” for all people.

She said it’s important to keep a dialogue open and issues that could be addressed include working with school officials to ask whether the town can do better with its curriculum on diversity.

“Social change always begins on the ground in our communities,” Novicki said.

Selectwoman Judy Williams, a retired school teacher, said she sees a lot of diversity in people during her many local travels and she’s in favor of continued dialogue.

“The world is international. We should all be in it together,” Williams said.

Goldblatt noted at the meeting, “This is a difficult discussion.”

Goldblatt said there are people in the community who are “uncomfortable,” and selectmen have to “take a stand to set an example.”

A resolution would show, “we’re a welcoming town, and not racist, Goldblatt said.

Zeoli said there was a time long ago when people of certain nationalities were limited to living in designated areas of town, noting, “I think Orange has evolved from that.”

In early October, several residents – about 11 – spoke at a forum in favor of such a resolution and two spoke against such a measure.

Resident Ruth Friedman spoke in favor of the proposal, saying, “There’s no question racism is a public health issue,” on a micro and macro level.

Friedman said whether racism is seen or not, the question can best be answered by looking, and looking can be “very scary.”

The only person of color to speak was Tom Ndiaye, son of Novicki, whose husband is from Africa.

“I feel hurt as a member of this town that I love that there is a possibility that the people who are supposed to be looking out for me are not acknowledging the pain that I may feel as a person of color living in this current climate of the United States of America,” he said. “People like me are already quite uncomfortable and there’s a conversation that needs to happen.”

Novicki said at the forum,“there are deep structural inequities in this country that must be addressed. We need to look at it because racism exists in our country, our state, our town, everywhere.”