A number of citizens addressed the Winslow City Council during their last meeting as the council gave consideration as to whether to amend the city’s equal employment policy statement to list specifically those with veteran status, those who are of Native American descent, and those of all sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
The item was placed on the agenda in an effort to take what was stated by City Attorney Ellen Van Riper as a “more proactive action in commitment to diversity.”
Councilman Bob Schlesinger expressed his opinion that the current policy, which states that the city will consider an applicant for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, age, national origin, disability or genetic information, is already inclusive. “I checked with some HR (human resources) folks and what we have covers all those areas,” said the councilman, noting that the only ones not included in the policy were veterans, but that there was a question regarding that on the city application. “If we adopt this we are excluding some folks. The NAACP came and said they were concerned that there were not enough African American blacks employed by the city. If we exclude the Hispanic people, there are plenty Hispanics, if we add this, we’re excluding them. My feeling is to leave it the way it is. We need to let the community know we are inclusive of everybody. I don’t think a piece of paper will do that. I think the community will do that.”
Among the citizens who spoke was Pete Anderson, who said that notating that the city does not discriminate based on sex does not include the LGBT community. “You can’t be fired for being female or male, but if you identify as otherwise, it’s not covered,” he said. He went on to state that interested businesses coming to the area look at how inclusive cities are on these matters because their employees may be affected by it.
Kathy Contreras also spoke and agreed with Schlesinger, stating that Winslow has always been inclusive. “Stop adding certain people and just say all inclusive like this community has always been. If you list certain people above others, you’re making the others feel lesser,” she said.
Laurie LaShomb explained that she and her wife moved to Winslow a year and a half ago. “We feel welcome and comfortable, but if I was applying for a city job I just want to know that me being a gay woman won’t be held against me. Yes, this group is inclusive, but the next one may not be,” she noted.
Lawrence Katoni said that he didn’t understand why it would be a problem to amend the policy. “Winslow’s been doing this from the get go. If you’re doing this already, then it’s just words on paper, but if not, then it sounds fearful,” he said, explaining that he had experienced negativity due to his being of Native American descent.
Denny Quinn stated that he believed that it went beyond city policy. “If you don’t change the mindset, it won’t matter what’s on the paper. A lot of us just don’t like change,” he stated. He went on to say that the community seems divided, with only Native Americans attending Native American events, white people at their own events and the same for African American events. “We change by communicating with each other. Get together and figure it out,” he concluded.
Others, including Lavetta Penrod, Carly Murray, Denny O’Quinn, Jamie Neal and Sondra Purcell, spoke both for and against the matter, with one group believing that altering the policy would be unnecessary and exclude other groups, and the other saying that discrimination is something only those who have experienced it would be aware of, and this would be an important step toward inclusion.
After careful consideration the council agreed to amend the policy in a 4-2 vote, with Mayor Robin Boyd, and Councilmen Marshall Losey, Harold Soehner and Curtis Hardy voting in favor of it, and Councilmen Thomas Chacon and Schlesinger voting against it. Councilwoman Judy Howell was absent from the proceedings.
During the call to the public several people noted that there should have been an apology for actions by a city employee that allegedly led to harm to two high school students.
City Manager Stephen Pauken reported on recent city activities, and noted that he would be going to Phoenix to meet legislators. The monthly finance report was given by Finance Director Elias Jouen, including an update on water bond sales.
Interim Police Administrator Chris Vasquez gave a report on the department and said that he was appreciative of the reception by the staff. He said that the department would be initiating a community watch program, working to improve communication and making other improvements. He presented a lifesaving award to Corporal Lawrence Dashee, who spotted a fire and got a family out of a burning building.
Oaths will be issued to new police officers Clifford Wells and Cory Benoit. Also introduced were new firemen Mark Stago, Mathew Sanchez and Derrek Begay.
In other action Jan. 10, the council:
* Adopted a resolution prescribing standards for financial disclosures of elected officials.
* Approved the consent calendar, including the check register, minutes of the Dec. 13 council meeting and appointment of Laurie LaShomb to the Arts Council.
