Residents, advocates fault mayor’s handling of Civil Rights Board appointment after applicant withdraws

Kalamazoo — Several residents and local advocates used public comment at the April 7 Kalamazoo City Commission meeting to criticize Mayor Mary Anderson’s decision not to place attorney Lewis Smith’s application for the Civil Rights Board on the commission agenda, and to note that Smith later withdrew his application.

Speakers said the denial was announced to community members, not the commission or the Civil Rights Board, and framed it as inconsistent with how the commission handles conflicts of interest.

“Attorney Smith contacted me this past Friday with his letter of withdrawal,” said Kathy Fason, housing task force lead and chair of the Civil Rights Board, describing Smith’s action after a meeting with the mayor. “He explained that you would be denying his appointment and not adding him to the agenda.”

Why it matters: The Civil Rights Board reviews complaints and proposed changes to local anti-discrimination ordinances; board members and community advocates said legal expertise is needed to ensure the board can act effectively. Speakers said the refusal…