‘Human relations’ ordinance voted ahead

New law would set up volunteer commission to field discrimination complaints

LANSDALE » A ‘human relations ordinance’ for Lansdale is one step away from becoming a reality.

Borough council voted unanimously Wednesday night to prepare and advertise an ordinance setting up a new ‘Human Relations Commission’ to field complaints of discrimination.

“This is an ordinance that will allow for protections that are not currently afforded by the federal government, state, or the county,” said councilman Leon Angelichio.

“As we all know, there are quite a few protections for age, sex, race, color or creed. Sexual orientation, gender identity - there are quite a few areas that are not protected by federal or local governments, and this gives us an opportunity for those groups that are not currently protected, to have an outlet,” he said.

Since May council has dis-

cussed the ordinance they voted unanimously to advertise Wednesday night, which would set up a fivemember volunteer commission tasked with hearing and trying to mediate any complaints from residents, visitors or customers of business who experience discrimination in the borough. The ordinance adds gender identity and LGBTQ status to the list of “protected classes” able to appeal any instance of alleged discrimination to the commission for mediation, and Angelichio said the main goal of the commission is to air out and solve issues, not issue penalties.

“We will not be a commission that would be levying fines or punishments. However, this gives two parties an opportunity to discus an issue, have some type of mediation, and it also allows for future involvement at the county court level,” if one side appeals, he said.

The commission was designed to keep costs as low as possible for taxpayers, while providing a low-cost alternative for businesses or customers to take a dispute before any potentially expensive court case.

“Often times, we’ll have a situation where two parties come to some sort of dispute, and often times the punishment from the court of public opinion is far more harsh than the court system,” he said.

“It’s a free way to be heard. Something that can be brought before the commission, might simply be a misunderstanding. Maybe it’s not a blatant act. Let’s air it out, so the two parties can learn a little more, and move forward,” Angelichio said.

Council discussed the proposed ordinance in both May and June, and heard additional feedback from the public in a special meeting on June 26 and during council committee meetings on July 3. Mayor Garry Herbert said he has also attended a series of public forum discussions on racism hosted by the Black Reserve Bookstore, and was moved by the stories he heard.

“Several very brave North Penn students attended, and shared their personal experiences of racism in our community. It was very difficult to hear young men and women describe how they had been treated, and the impact this had on their lives,” he said.

“After this meeting, I am more certain than ever that our community would benefit from a human relations commission, that can work with the schools, and other community groups, to help stop racism and bigotry in our community,” he said.

Herbert said he recently spoke to the Lansdale Kiwanis Club about the topic, and members have also expressed their support for the commission as a way to encourage a more diverse and tolerant community, and said he thought the commission was another step toward fulfilling the words of the Declaration of Independence, “that we all have certain inalienable rights.”

“With the enactment of an HRC, we as a community are closer than ever to helping fulfill everyone’s American dream of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, by declaring in one voice that we are all equal in Lansdale,” he said

Angelichio’s motion to prepare and advertise the human relation ordinance passed unanimously with no comments from council, and he said afterward the commission and its protections would also cover any schools within the borough, and students who attend them.

“Should students, or students’ parents, feel they’ve been discriminated against, they can bring the complaint to the commission. This commission will work hand in hand with the school board, teachers, administrators, to help the students,” he said.

“Kids should worry about going to school and learning math, learning history, learning things. I don’t feel they should be subjected to the societal pressures of conformity to certain groups — it’s one more thing that we put on kids, that we don’t allow kids to be kids,” Angelichio said.

If the ordinance is adopted in August, residents or business owners interested in becoming a member of the commission can submit letters of interest or resumes to the borough, and Angelichio said he hopes that group meets only when needed, gives regular updates to council on any cases it hears, and looks like the community it represents — regardless of race, color, orientation, or anything else.

“There should be no consideration to a person’s anything to serve on this, other than that they’re committed to it, and they want to do a good job,” he said.

Lansdale Borough Council next meets at 9 p.m. on Aug. 1, with various committee meetings starting at 7 p.m., all at the borough municipal building, 1 Vine St. For more information or meeting agendas and materials visit www.Lansdale.org or follow @LansdalePA on Twitter.