Monticello, NY - Human Rights Commission marks two years

The River Reporter
Thursday, June 15, 1995.

Human Rights Commission
marks two years

By TOM RUE

MONTICELLO - Monticello is the only jurisdiction in Sullivan County to boast a human rights commission (HRC) -- formed by local law on June 8, 1993 after a discovery that spring of anti-Semitic and racist material displayed in the police station locker room.

Officers who posted the offensive materials were identified as Joseph F. Cullen, Frank Armstrong and Ronald Lindholm. All three are still employed by the department. None were disciplined, according to knowledgeable sources, and no apology was ever issued.

It was hoped at the time that residents would use the new HRC to fight discrimination. Members serve without pay.

Stated purposes of the commission include:

Receiving discrimination complaints due to race, creed, color, handicap or national origin. Technical assistance is available from the NYS Division in Human Rights at no cost to local government.

Holding conferences and meetings to help resolve racial, religious and ethnic tensions and prejudice.

Issuing publications and reports of investigations.

Enlisting the cooperation of allied groups.

At a May 25 meeting at the Monticello Neighborhood Facility, HRC chairman Carl Silverstein said accomplishments over two years include a 1994 poster contest and an essay contest in progress.

In HRC's history, three complaints are known to have been filed. One case -- in the spring of 1993 -- involved a fight between two high school students over a boyfriend. The other was reportedly filed by a white police officer from the Bronx against a Monticello sergeant for alleged rudeness on the telephone. HRC concluded that neither matter fell within their domain.

Recently, a discrimination complaint was filed over the citizenship of the village treasurer. That matter has not been resolved.

HRC has been granted a $500 yearly budget but has spent only a fraction of that amount. In 1994, $125 was paid in poster contest prizes; and $140 in trainings and association dues. In 1995 $50 in dues have been paid; and $10.56 for postage.

Though funds have gone unused in the past, the village board recently doubled the HRC budget allocation -- to $1000. Silverstein said the funds will be used to train commissioners.

HRC was also given the nod for clerical support to prepare written agendas, minutes and press releases. Past HRC meetings have not been publicly announced. Minutes have been sporadic.

The funding boost comes on the heels of a report by an investigator hired by the village board at the advice of former manager William Cummings to look into the conduct of mayor Robert Friedland in seeking a job for his son as a police officer.

Hargrove recommended that HRC:

Publish the date, time and place of its meetings.

Provide additional training for commissioners.

Develop a brochure explaining its duties, powers and complaint procedures.

Be allowed to hire an experienced investigator when needed.

HRC members are appointed for two-year terms by the village board. The 14-seat commission currently has four vacancies, according to Silverstein.

The current roster includes: Marco Bocanumenth, Theresa Bull, Shelly Field, William Little, Rabbi Boruch Leibowitz, Carlos Londono, Clifford Moore, Carmen Rue, Carl Silverstein, Rev. Rosemary Smith, Matthew Strong, and Jessie York. Silverstein said Little and Leibowitz are leaving the area by September.

Under the law, Silverstein recommends to the village board, who makes appointments. Silverstein wrote a May 10, 1995 letter to village clerk Edith Schop seeking "recommendations from Village trustees, the mayor, or anyone else."

A lawsuit is pending in NYS supreme court claiming Hargrove's investigation of Friedland should have been done by HRC rather than Hargrove, and asserting Hargrove's bill should be paid by trustees individually.