Carmen Hernandez Rue Chairperson

Commission on Human Rights

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For Immediate Release
N E W S
Dated: January 10, 2000

Monticello Human Rights Commission seeks members

MONTICELLO - Concerned village residents who want to help better their community are invited to apply for a seat on the Human Rights Commission.

The Human Rights Commission of the Village of Monticello was created in June 1993, "in order to help secure equal opportunity in the Village of Monticello to all, irrespective of race, creed, color, religion, handicap or national origin," according to local law, which provides for between 8 and 14 members.

The Human Rights Commission seeks to foster mutual respect and understanding among all racial, religious, handicapped and nationality groups in the community; as well as inquiring into incidents of tension and conflict among or between various racial, religious, handicapped and nationality groups and to take such action as may be designed to alleviate such tensions and conflict; and conducting educational programs aimed at increasing goodwill among inhabitants of the community and open new opportunities into all phases of community life for all inhabitants.

Monticello is presently the only municipality in Sullivan County with a Human Rights Commission. Its members are unpaid.

Carmen Rue — appointed chairperson of the Commission by Mayor Gary Sommers, and confirmed by the Village Board of Trustees, on December 20, 1999 — said the Commission will next meet on Wednesday, January 19, 2000, 7:30 PM, at the Neighborhood Facility, Jefferson St.

At that time, regular meeting dates will be established and business will be conducted. Meetings of the Commission are announced in advance and open to the public.

Applications may be sent in care of Village Hall, 2 Pleasant St., Monticello, NY 12701. Applicants must reside in the Village of Monticello.