HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-02-14 Human Relations Advisory Commitee MinutesHUMAN RELATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING i_!_
February 14, 2002
Reading Police Station Community Room SS.
7:30 p.m.
i" J1 10 A 8: 01
Present: Terry Jones, Paul Kelley, Emily Maughan, Bob Silva, Sumi Sinnatamby,
Margaret Soli, Edward Toland
Guests: Strati Aradas - from Rep. Carol Donovan's office, Jack Goldberg, Peter
Hechenbleikner
Meeting called to order by Margaret Soli
1. Distributed email (attached) received inquiring about need and purpose of Dialogues and Forum.
Margaret S. responded and invited writer to attend Dialogues.
2. Minutes of January 10, 2002 approved as they stand.
3. Next meeting of this committee will be April 11th due to Forum and Dialogues in March.
4. Margaret Soli distributed New York Times article "When Tried, Real Integration Proves
Worthwhile" (attached). Welcomed Strati A. Discussion regarding Metco Program and funding
followed. Do not have budget for Metco yet. Lobby Day is coming up in March. Terry J. has
spoken with Jean McGuire, Exec. Dir. Of Metco. Indicated that funding looks like it will be going
down considerably. Metco has a parents' committee to support the program as an organized group.
Still unclear where we should lobby: either at beginning of state budget process to affect the total
Metco dollars or the Dept. of Education to affect the disbursement of the budget money, or both.
Need to make it advantageous financially for Reading to have Metco students. Bottom line: town
doesn't have the funds or the space to support the program? Discussion to continue.
5. Packets of flyers on Forum distributed. Each committee member asked to bring event to the
attention of anyone who might be interested. Critical that everyone pitches in now to get a good
turn-out. Flyers to be distributed in Library, YMCA, Atlantic, churches, schools, anywhere they
may be seen or picked up. Proclamation from Town in support of Dialogues was circulated (copy
attached). Possibly displayed at Library.
NEXT MEETING: April 11th, 7:30 p.m., Reading Police Station Community Room.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Maughan, Secretary