The Sullivan County Human Rights Commission has been inactive for months because the Sullivan County Legislature feels there is a need to reorganize it.
Unfortunately, many of our past and present legislators were not aware of the hard work the previous commission did over the past several years and often ignored its needs.
As a member of the former Human Rights Commission who was appointed because in part for of my advocacy for the developmentally disabled, I can tell you the time has come for the legislature to finally act.
Part of the problem we are in today is because the position of Executive Director is a part time job with no benefits. Former paid executive directors went above and beyond the call of duty, but they were forced to leave because of low wages and no benefits.
Members of the Human Rights Commission tried hard to lobby the former legislature to make the position full time and to include consumer affairs, but that was fallen on deaf ears.
The board of the Human Rights Commission consisted of dedicated people striving to protect the Human Rights of all Sullivan County residents.
There were two active committees, one servicing people with confidential personal issues and complaints, and the other an Outreach Committee of which I serve as chairman.
Unfortunately, the commission was forced to remain dormant during a time we need an active Human Rights Commission more than ever. We had no executive director, no access to email and phone messages, and no reappointment of members whose terms expired.
I am proud to say, we were well ahead of our times working hard on the Human Rights Commission fostering relations between the community and law enforcement.
We held monthly meetings between the community and all our law enforcement agencies with guest speakers on topics ranging from bullying, restorative practices, implicit biased training, the green light law, how to better relations with the Hasidic, Latino, and Black communities, explaining Daca, and this past January participating in a March Against Hate.
The Human Rights Commission had a major presence at our community street fairs with law enforcement, and even sponsored cop cafes throughout Sullivan County.
Indeed, the Sullivan County Human Rights Commission was forward looking making certain there was an open dialogue between the community and law enforcement – Something other counties and states are first doing.
Sullivan County has been a role model when it comes to law enforcement and our community.
The new Board of the Human Rights Commission must remain at nine members, and the legislature must consider creating a full time Executive Director position that will include consumer affairs.
There is no place in Sullivan County to go when it comes to consumer affairs issues, and it is the obligation of our county to provide these services.
I believe the legislature should ultimately be responsible who is appointed to the commission and that each legislator should select the person of their choice. But, the Executive Director must report to the newly appointed Human Rights Commission.
We must work with everyone to continue to build the Sullivan County Human Rights Commission into an agency we can all be proud of protecting the rights of everyone.
As the United Nations points outs – Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.
Bill Liblick has made a name for himself of National TV Talk Shows where he spouted his outspoken views from the front row. Now he offers you his opinion in the “MOUTH THAT ROARS” Column in the Sullivan County Post