It was hard to miss the irony:
With Martin Luther King Jr. Day just a few days away, the Town of Cobleskill last Monday unanimously adopted its Discrimination/Harassment Policy.
“I can’t wait to do this,” said Supervisor Tom Murray after calling for the vote.
The nine-page policy lays out the steps for filing, addressing, and investigating discrimination or harassment complaints, and defines sexual, verbal, and non-verbal harassment.
It also sets up the steps for distributing and periodically reviewing the policy, outlines the steps for appealing any decision and requires diversity training.
The Discrimination/Harassment Committee will include two members of the town board and one community member suggested by the Citizen Anti-Bias Committee—which drafted the policy—and appointed by the town.
The citizen role remained the last sticking point of the policy and though the CABC didn’t get what they wanted, spokesman Sue Spivack said they still consider it an important step forward.
“It’s something that’s been needed for a long time and is too often lacking in many communities,” Ms. Spivack said.
The CABC had hoped to have afull member on the committee—someone who would also investigate complaints.
However, Mr. Murray and councilmen were wary of involving someone from the outside in personnel issues and the policy reflects that.
“We continue to maintain that a community member who has signed appropriate confidentiality forms would be as trustworthy (I’ve heard some say more trustworthy) than an elected official who is a member of the committee,” Ms. Spivack said last Monday in prepared remarks.
“It disrespects and devalues all community members…to assume that only elected officials are capable of honesty and taking oaths of confidentiality…”
Though she said afterwards they’re disappointed, Ms. Spivack said the CABC will “accept the limited role we’ve been given.”
The Village of Cobleskill was expected to pass its own version of the policy last night, Tuesday, and the CABC is polling its members to find residents to recommend for seats on both committees.
Ms. Spivack said the CAB C hopes once the policy is in use they may be able to revisit the “involvement” issue.
The CABC will continue to meet monthly, Ms. Spivack said.
Members will also continue to sponsor events and work with other groups to “help nuture an open, friendly community which respects and welcomes people of all age groups.”