By Lisa Carolin
Because the Chelsea Human Rights Commission did not have enough members present for a quorum at its Dec. 7 meeting, HRC President Susan Morrel-Samuels suggested that the commission instead hold a work session for discussion purposes only.
Plans for the two weeks surrounding MLK Day, which is Jan. 16, 2023, were discussed and need to be finalized by Dec. 14 so they can be publicized. There are 15 confirmed activities so far including an essay contest for school students put on by the Chelsea Kiwanis Club, an intergenerational multicultural cooking project by the Chelsea Senior Center, city government will hold a reception to teach participants about government, and Silver Maples will host a drive to get items for SafeHouse Center.
HRC members reviewed the 2022 Report, which included last year’s MLK Day, a panel on public health, comparing its ordinances to other cities, participation in the Spring Expo and farmers markets, and bylaws changes.
The 2023 Plan was also talked about with priorities including more use of social media, observing civility month, and new training from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.
Morrel-Samuels updated two complaints that have been in process. She said that the Miller Canfield Law Firm reviewed the complaint involving police interaction and retaliation, but the reason for the complaint occurred more than 180 days ago, which goes against the ordinance, and it was recommended that the complaint be closed. The second complaint also concerns the police department, and Miller Canfield will be talking with the complainant.
HRC Members recapped the Refugee Resettlement event that took place at the Chelsea District Library Nov. 17, and said about 40 people attended. Samuels said a speaker from Jewish Family Services said that they would be willing to resettle people in Chelsea but that housing is the biggest challenge.
There is currently an opening on the HRC. For more information, go to https://www.city-chelsea.org/boards-committees-commissions.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the HRC is on Jan. 4, 2023 at 7 p.m.
