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FIRST ON WGIL: Mayor, Human Relations Commission Differ on Role
FIRST REPORTED 6:00am 1/21/10 Galesburg Mayor Sal Garza says he's essentially given orders to one city commission to change the way they operate, while some members of that commission are saying "hold on just a minute."

Garza says he's given the city's Human Relations Commission a directive to expand their role, and become instead a "Community" Relations Commission, and deal with more community and neighborhood issues versus simply dealing with racial discrimination incidents.

Garza tells WGIL since he became mayor, he's had to, in his words, referee a number of neighborhood disputes, and thinks the commission should be doing that.

"It would be better if there was a structure -- a vehicle, if you will -- that could help folks, learn the conflict resolution," Garza said.

Garza says it takes too much of his time to have to deal with neighborhood-type disputes himself, and says the Human Relations Commission, if expanded, could deal with that.

But the Commission met Tuesday and there was clear concern about whether expanding their role should be done. Commission secretary Karen Kistler says expansion would mean their original focus couldn't be done.

"I think until we have a handle on more successfully eliminating discrimination in our community, I think it's paramount that it is the main focus," Kistler said.

"Changing the name, at the point or any time soon, puts the cart before the horse," Bob Clark, Human Relations Commission Chairman, said. "As the Human Relations Commission, we can do a lot of the things that the mayor is wanting us to do, as an enhancement."

Several other commission members agreed, but also thought that some of the mayor's directives could be completed under the city's current discrimination ordinances. They believed that if the commission changed, ordinances would have to change, too.

Garza, though, did hint during an interview that if they're not amenable to change, he could see about having the commission disbanded and form a new one.

"Some of the things that are being talked about have been talked about for some time," Garza said. "It really is about understanding the value of the individual member's time, as well as collectively. Are we moving to action? And if not, then, we need to take a look at some changes."
01 21 10 by Newsroom
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