IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION recognizing the Jackson County Office of Human Relations and Citizen Complaints and Commission upon its 25 years of service.
Intro
RESOLUTION # 12118, March 16, 1998
INTRODUCED BY Carl W. Bussey, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, the Jackson County Office of Human Relations and Citizen Complaints and its oversight commission were established under Article X of the Constitutional Home Rule Charter of Jackson County, adopted by a vote of the County's citizens on November 3, 1970; and,
WHEREAS, the Charter went into effect January 1, 1973, and, on March 17, 1973, the OHRCC Commission held its first meeting; and,
WHEREAS, the original Commission members were Sidney Willens, Chairman, Ella Jo Tolbert, Helen Haugh, Carl Bua, Patricia Hardy-Glorioso, John Gabett, William Carson and Robert Tischner; and,
WHEREAS, appointed by the County Executive, the Commission's charter mission and responsibilities are to work with citizen problems pertaining to County government; and,
WHEREAS, citizens can bring complaints to OHRCC regarding violations of laws, regulations, or policies by an administrative agency, discrimination complaints, inefficient service, unreasonable delays, allegations of abuse of civil rights and civil liberties, conflicts between citizens and government, and failure of county officials or employees to give information or adequate explanations of government actions; and,
WHEREAS, OHRCC promotes improvement of human relations between citizens and government and promotes the protection of civil rights and civil liberties of the County's citizens; and,
WHEREAS, OHRCC continues to fulfill its human relations mission through participation in projects, organizations, and activities designed to safeguard individual and group rights and improve human relations; and,
WHEREAS, OHRCC participates in projects and educational forums via such organization as the Civil Rights Consortium, Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution, Urban League, Harmony, the Ombudsman Association, and the International Association of Human Rights Workers; and,
WHEREAS, the OHRCC director has been designated by executive order as the County's coordinator for implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and,
WHEREAS, the Commission is responsible for reviewing contracts and commitments of the County for the purpose of insuring that adequate provisions are made to encourage affirmative action, prohibit discriminatory employment practices, conduct selective educational or investigative projects, promote human relations projects, civil rights and liberties, and recommend changes to County legislation; and,
WHEREAS, OHRCC is a unique office among state and local ombudsman office in the country; and,
WHEREAS, the Jackson County ombudsman's office is the only such office with specific rights and human relations duties; and,
WHEREAS, the Commission is responsible for selecting and advising the director/ombudsman for the OHRCC; and,
WHEREAS, since its inception, the office has had five directors/ombudsmen: Lawrence Guillot 1973-1980, William Whitcomb 1980-1982, Patricia Glorioso 1982-1990, Danise Hartsfield-Thompson 1990-1994, and Deborah F. Tircuit 1994 to present; and,
WHEREAS, at 5:15 p.m. on March 19, 1998, in the second floor Legislative Chamber of the Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, MO, OHRCC will hold its third regular monthly meeting and will recognize 25 years of service and the contribution of individuals who have served on the Commission and as OHRCC directors; and,
WHEREAS, Commission members currently serving are: Gene Pulliam, Chairperson, 6th District Representative; Maynard E. Harvey Sr., 2nd District Representative, Toni Thornton, 3rd District Representative; Rafaela Garcia, 1st District Representative; Rosemary Lowe, 2nd District Representative, Donna Pearson McClish, 5th District Representative; and Patricia J. Porter, 4th District Representative; and,
WHEREAS, OHRCC works primarily with Jackson County government and services are available to citizens at no cost if they do not know where to turn with problems or complaints; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature recognizes the Jackson County Office of Human Relations and Citizen Complaints and Commission for its 25 years of service.
Attorney
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________ ________________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution # 12118 of March 16, 1998, was duly passed on _________March 16______________, 1998 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______9__________ Nays _______0______
Abstaining ______0_______ Absent ______0______
______________________ _________________________________
Date Mary Jo Brogoto, Clerk of Legislature