The Quality Community Council, UCARE, the Charlottesville/Albemarle Chapter of the NAACP, and the Legal Aid Justice Center are hosting an informational meeting on human rights commissions with Sandra Norman, executive director of the Virginia Human Rights Commission in Richmond.
The Dialogue on Race Policy Action team has proposed to City Council the creation of a human rights commission that would investigate instances of discriminations in housing and private employment and enforce anti-discrimination laws.
The proposal calls for an initial investment of $300,000 and a subsequent $200,000 per year for the employment of an executive director, an investigator and an administrative assistant. Some Councilors have said that although they support the idea of a commission, allocating $300,000 in a tight budget climate is daunting.
The proposal now rests with the City Manager, who is expected to give City Council his recommendation. Councilors will pick up the discussion in early February.
The forum will be held on Wednesday, January 25 at 6:30pm in the City Council Chambers.
For more on the Dialogue on Race and on the commission, read tomorrow’s cover story.