Blue Springs, Mo. – The City of Blue Springs’ City Council unanimously approved the establishment of a Human Relations Commission at the March 3, 2014 City Council meeting.
“The establishment of an active Human Relations Commission will help foster and preserve the individual rights and liberties of the citizens of Blue Springs regardless of their race, sex, sexual preference or orientation, familial status, disability, religion, age, color, language, national origin or ancestry, and make the City a better place to live,” said Mayor Carson Ross.
The Commission will be made up of 3 citizen members, 4 community sector members and 2 student members (non-voting). Commissioners will serve staggered terms of three years each.
Mayor Ross presented his Commission recommendations at the March 17, 2014 City Council meeting and the City Council unanimously approved the appointments. Members of the Human Relations Commission include: Gino Bueno, Brandon Jackley, Lewis Jones, Choongho Kwon, Katherine Webster, Lisa Philpott and Loretta Ross.
“We are excited to work with the new Commission to encourage cooperation among community groups, community organizations, law enforcement agencies, school districts, and other community educational institutions,” said Chief Wayne McCoy. “The Human Relations Commission is essential to ensure all segments of our community are equally represented.”
The City has contracted with Dr. Emmanuel Ngomsi, Ph.D. to provide training for the commissioners and to help establish the City’s Human Relations Commission. Dr. Ngomsi will host community focus groups and report their findings to the Human Relations Commission.
“The Human Relations Commission focus groups will provide a deeper understanding of the environment, challenges and opportunities in the municipality of Blue Springs from the citizens’ point of views in the area of cultural diversity and inclusion,” said Dr. Emmanuel Ngomsi. “Findings will be reported back to the commission through the notes taken during the focus group meetings”
The Human Relations Commission is looking for volunteers to participate in the community focus groups. To participate, please send an email to police@bluespringsgov.com with your contact information.
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