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Sullivan County approves Human Rights Commission members amid dispute over legislator appointment
Summary
The Human Resources Committee approved appointments to a reconstituted Human Rights Commission 4-1; the vote and an appointment of legislator Amanda Ward prompted heated discussion and public comment about whether legislators should serve on the commission and allegations of targeting.
The Sullivan County Human Resources Committee voted to appoint members to the county's reconstituted Human Rights Commission, approving the slate by a 4-1 vote while one legislator opposed. The resolution to appoint members to the commission was moved by Bridal McPhillip and seconded by Joe Perillo.
The vote followed an extended public and committee discussion about one proposed appointee, Legislator Amanda Ward, and whether a sitting legislator should serve on the commission. Ward read a prepared statement to the committee saying she felt "singled out and unfairly targeted" and said she would continue to advocate for human-rights work in the county. At the meeting she said, "I will not be deterred from speaking up or doing the work that needs to be done, especially when it comes to protecting and advancing human rights."
Opponents raised concerns about conflicts of interest if a legislator served on the Human Rights Commission, given the legislature's oversight of county departments and budgets. One legislator said the issue was not personal but structural and that the county's law might be amended to limit or clarify whether legislators may serve on the commission in the future.
Supporters said some of the proposed members were new to the commission and that legislator appointments have precedent on other county boards. A committee member and the sponsor of the appointments said she had appointed Ward to help re-start the commission and to support a plan for a full-time executive director and more active community outreach.
Committee staff clarified the commission would not perform investigations on its own: complaints received would be handled by a director and, where appropriate, referred to the state human-rights agency. Staff said the county intends to place a director in that position on April 21 to manage complaint intake and educational work.
Ending: The committee approved the appointments 4-1. Several committee members asked the county attorney to review the law and consider whether the statute or resolutions should be amended to clarify when legislators may serve on advisory bodies.
