North Adams Committee Taking Up 'Safe Community' ResolutionStaff Reports, iBerkshires
05:04PM / Tuesday, January 03, 2017 | |
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Community Development Committee will take up a resolution designating the city as a "Safe and Inclusive Community" this Thursday at 6 p.m.
The resolution was introduced in December by City Councilors Nancy Bullett and President Benjamin Lamb but ran into some controversy over language — and over its necessity.
Some councilors balked at language that included a reference to actions by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio — which both Bullett and Lamb agreed should be cut — and references to the rejection of federal and state policies.
Bullett reintroduced the trimmed down resolution (posted below) that still contained a section noting that "fellow leaders in public service in Massachusetts have also promised to reject new policies built on unjust discrimination of individual communities at the State and local levels."
Some councilors and residents were concerned that that reference in particular could cause problems down the line — possibly forcing the city to take specific stances on issues or putting it in conflict with state and federal authorities. Others raised the potential of losing governmental monies and support or questioned the need for such a resolution.
About 50 people attended last week's City Council meeting during which the resolution was debated and ultimately referred to Community Development to allow more citizen input. But most of those in attendance last Tuesday appeared to be in support of the resolution, speaking of their own experiences with prejudice and calling for the city to stand up to bigotry.
The statement refers to an increase in acts of hatred and hate crimes in 2014-15, and while the resolution's authors said their action was not in opposition to the recent presidential election, it does refer to the white supremacist movement that had backed the president-elect.
The resolution positions the city as a "hate-free zone in which we strongly condemn acts of vandalism, discrimination, harassment, and violence that express hatred toward members of our community and beyond."
Thursday's meeting is open to the public and will be held in council chambers at City Hall.
"Safe & Inclusive Resolution": Amended by iBerkshires.com on Scribd
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