The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Nominations open for anti-racism task force
MIDDLETOWN — Mayor Ben Florsheim is seeking individuals interested in joining a new city task force, the Permanent Task Force on Anti-Racism, authorized by the Middletown Common Council in July.
The committee, which will advise the administration and promote the adoption of anti-racist policies and initiatives within the city, will consist of 12 members of the public and three members of the Common Council — a total of 15, according to a press release. The task force will be comprised of volunteers who will have access to city staff for support on projects and initiatives.
The panel was born out of an extensive multiyear effort by the Human Relations Commission to study race relations in the community. The HRC partnered with a national consultant, the National Conference for Community and Justice, which released its final report last month recommending action in several specific areas, including education, health equity, economic justice and policing, the release said.
Work will be shaped and informed by this work, with the overall goal of expanding the depth and breadth of the HRC’s efforts to bring antiracism to the forefront in the community, the news release said.
In accordance with rules governing boards and commissions that conduct official city business, task force members must be electors of the city, and no single political party may be over represented beyond a bare majority (eight out of 15 seats), the release said. Members will serve for a term of four years beginning in September.
Anyone interested in being considered may selfnominate by completing the application form at middletownct.gov. The deadline is Aug. 26 at 5 p.m.
Mayor Florsheim will review the nominations and present recommendations to the Common Council for approval Sept. 1. For information, call 860-638-4801.