Frederick County, MD Human Relations Commission - 2009 Annual Report

8/9/2019 Frederick County, MD Human Relations Commission - 2009 Annual Report

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FREDERICK COUNTY

HUMAN RELATIONS

COMMISSION

ANNUAL REPORT FOR

FISCAL YEAR 2009

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Jan H. Gardner,President

David P. Gray,

Vice President

& HRC Point Person

Kai J. Hagen

Charles A. Jenkins

John L. Thompson, Jr.

Ronald A. Hart,

County Manager

Barry Stanton,

Assistant County Manager

Linda B. Thall,

Senior Assistant County Attorney

HRC Legal Liaison

Frederick County Board of Commissioners

Frederick County Attorneys Office

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Donna Kuzemchak,Frederick City Alderman

Sharon Boettinger,

Frederick County Public Schools

Margaret Nusbaum,

Division Director

Henry L. Templeton,

Department Director

Denise M. Smith,

Administrative Specialist

Frederick County Citizens Services Division

Frederick County Human Relations Department

Frederick City Liaison to the HRC

Frederick County Public School Liaison to the

HRC

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Samuel J. Bennett, Jr., Chair

Hayden B. Duke, Vice Chair

Jack A. Thomas, Sr., Treasurer

Felicia C. Turner, Parliamentarian

Angela O. Spencer, Member at Large

Irene Packer-Halsey

Elizabeth L. Chung

Ernell E. Graham

Charlotte Lawson Davis

Karl W. Bickel

Sandra M. Baker

Adeyemi A. Adeoye

Joseph I. Berman

G. Michael Corrigan

Garth C. Phoebus

Frederick County Human Relations Commission

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chairmans Comment Letter to County Commissioners

Origin & History of Human Relations in Frederick County

Executive Summary

Case Processing

Activities of the Human Relations Commission

Matters Affecting Discrimination Trends in Frederick County

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COMMISSIONERS

Jan H. Gardner

President

David P. GrayVice President

Kai J. Hagen

Charles A. Jenkins

John L. Thompson, Jr.

COUNTY MANAGER

Ronald A. Hart

CITIZENS SERVICESDIVISION

Margaret L. NusbaumDivision Director

DEPARTMENT OFHUMAN RELATIONS

Henry L. Templeton

Director

CITIZENS

SERVICES DIVISION

FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLANDHuman Relations Commission

520 North Market Street Frederick, Maryland 21701

301-600-1109 FAX 301-600-2085 TTY Use Maryland Relay

www.co.frederick.md.us

July 1, 2009

The Honorable Board of County CommissionersFrederick County, Maryland

12 East Church Street

Frederick, Maryland 21701

Re: 2009 Human Relations Commissions Annual Report

Dear Commissioners:

The Frederick County Human Relations Commission (HRC) is pleased and honored

to present the FY 09 Annual Report to you on behalf of each of its members. Thereport provides the Origin and History of Human Relations in Frederick County, an

Executive Summary, case processing information, activities of the Human Relations

Commission, and matters affecting discrimination trends in Frederick County. Withthe tasks that are currently under way and those on the horizon, the HRC

collectively decided against recommending any new legislation or changes to

existing Code and Regulations for FY 10.

As the current and 2nd

term Chair of the HRC, it is my privilege to present this

report to you and interested others in the greater Frederick County community. Aswell as the aforementioned information, this report will provide for you a synopsis

of proposed programs and short-term initiatives on the following:

The HRC Strategic Plan

The establishment of Community Relations, GovernmentRelations and Internal Relations committees

Training on the Appeal Hearing Process

First Annual HRC Legislative Luncheon Frederick County Code Revisions

HRC By-Law consolidation and revisions The HRC Peace and Harmony in Diversity Quilt

With a mixture of both challenges and promising opportunities, FY 09 was unique

in many ways. With the appointment of a full-time Director for the Human

Relations Department (HRD) in November 2007, a host of promising opportunities began to unfold for the HRC. The HRD Director has provided guidance and

support for the HRC on many different levels, and has helped to present

opportunities for many firsts for the HRC.

CHARACTER COUNTS! and the SixPillars of Character are servicemarks of the CHARACTERCOUNTS! Coalition, a project of theJosephson Institute of Ethics.www.charactercounts.org

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With increased and positive media coverage that the HRC received in FY 09, we feel thatcommunity support of HRC duties, functions and activities have grown by leaps and bounds. On behalf of the entire HRC, I again want to again thank each of you for your support andconfidence - and vow the HRCs collective and individual best efforts in ensuring and supportingoptimal human relations in Frederick County. We look forward to continuing our work toward bettering human relations in Frederick County as well as partnering with you to create an

atmosphere of caring and tolerance in Frederick County.

Sincerely,

Samuel J. Bennett, Jr. ChairFrederick County Human Relations Commission

cc: Human Relations CommissionersRonald A. Hart, County Manager

Barry L. Stanton, Assistant County ManagerMargaret Nusbaum, Citizens Services Division DirectorLinda B. Thall, Senior Assistant County AttorneyHenry L. Templeton, Human Relations Department Director

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Origin & History of the

Human Relations in Frederick County

Early 1960s Citizens organized Inter-Racial Committee meetings. Amid the local, state and national

tension of the times, people began to meet to address equity and discriminatory issues

in Frederick.

Late 1960s Originally the Committee was a Frederick City work group. The Human Relations

Council was formed and it was changed to a County-wide work group.

1987 The University of Maryland, Institute for Governmental Services studied the Council

and recommended a separate Human Relations Commission and Human Relations

Department.

1989 With increased formal authority by legislative action, the Council achieved

Commission status. By resolution (no. 89-24) and ordinance (no. 89-48-579) the

County Commissioners established the Frederick County Human Relations

Commission (HRC) and the Frederick County Human Relations Department (HRD).

The HRD was authorized to accept complaints in the areas of housing, employment

and public accommodations on the basis of race, age, sex (gender only), religion,

marital status, disability, color and national origin.

1990 The regulation of the Frederick County Human Relations Commission was adopted by

the County Commissioners.

1999 County Commissioners amended the Countys anti-discrimination regulation to allow

no less than three Human Relations Commissioners to hear appeals to Human

Relations Department complaint determinations (Resolution 98-15).

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2001 Resolution No. 01-08 added to the anti-discrimination regulation, a provision against

retaliation, and added the authority of the Human Relations Department, after

consultation with the County Attorneys Office, to issue a subpoena to compel the

attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of records and documents

relevant and necessary to complete an investigation of authorized complaints.

2003 Governor Ehrlich signed enabling legislation HB 396 giving authority to the County

Commissioners to vote to give remedial authority to the HRC.

2004 The County Commissioners by a 4-1 vote authorized the HRC to grant equitable relief

only, to sustained victims of local discrimination. The Equitable Relief proposed

ordinance was presented at a County Commissioners work session on November 20,

2002. The HRC approved Rules of Procedure to support a fair process, September 27,

2003. A public hearing in the matter was held December 16, 2003. The equitable relief

authority became effective January 2, 2004.

2006 In 2005, the General Assembly amended Section 2-2-68 of the Frederick County Code to

require the Human Relations Department to investigate certain complaints alleging

discrimination as to familial status and source of income. The Human Relations

Department asked the Board of County Commissioners to amend the regulations of the

Human Relations Commission to formally give the Department the power to investigate

complaints of familial status and source of income discrimination in housing. A public

hearing was held on this Resolution on February 21, 2006. This Resolution was

approved and adopted on February 21, 2006.

2008 On July 29, 2008, the Human Relations Commission voted to adopt new regulations,

which must, in turn, be approved by the Board of County Commissioners by resolutionprior to becoming effective. The new regulations reorganized and restated earlier

provisions, including those related to the procedures for filing complaints, conducting

investigations, conciliating complaints, making preliminary and final determinations and

decisions, holding hearings, awarding relief, and processing appeals.

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These regulations also added definitions for age discrimination and disability,

amended the definition of employer to make the definition consistent with Section

2-2-68(d)(1)(iii) of the Frederick County Code, deleted the definition of

physical or mental handicap, change the term affirmative action to equitable

relief, and allow for the filing of complaints of familial status discrimination in

employment. Additional changes were made to reflect the inclusion of the

Department of Human Relations into the Citizens Services Division in 2005 and to

clarify the method by which a decision to dismiss a complaint my be challenged in court.

A public hearing was held on this Resolution and the proposed regulations of the Human

Relations Commission on October 21, 2008. The Resolution was approved and adopted,

and became effective on October 21, 2008.

2009 The Human Relations Commission asked the Board of County Commissioners to

strengthen the language in Section 1-2-93 of Chapter 224 of the 1988 Laws of Maryland,

which currently describes certain discriminatory practices as being contrary to the public

policy of Frederick County, to state that discrimination in Frederick County is unlawful.

Section 1-2-93 would also be amended to define discrimination as an act that is unlawful

under State or Federal law when based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age,

marital status or disability. At the same time the Board of County Commissioners also

wished to amend the Ordinance to replace the term physical or mental handicap with

the term disability, to include a definition of disability, and clarify the extent to

which familial status and source of income discrimination are also against public policy

and unlawful in Frederick County. A public hearing was held on this Ordinance on

April 21, 2009. The Ordinance was approved and adopted on April 21, 2009.

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Henry L. Templeton assumed the HRD Directors position on November 26, 2007. The HRC was withoutthe benefit of a full-time Executive Secretary from the HRD for six months prior to Mr. Templetonsappointment. We are confident that his knowledge and professionalism has added value to the HRC and theentire Frederick County Government.

At the July 29, 2008 monthly meeting, the following HRC Officers were installed for FY 09:

Samuel J. Bennett, Jr. Chairperson Hayden B. Duke Vice Chairperson Jack A. Thomas, Sr. Treasurer Karen Sheffer-Tucker Parliamentarian Michael North Member at Large

G. Michael Corrigan, Felicia C. Turner and Joseph I. Berman were appointed by the County Commissionersto serve on the HRC in July 2008.

The County Commissioners approved recommended changes to the HRC Ordinance. The proposed changeswould make discrimination unlawful in Frederick County, and would also replace the term handicap withdisability.

Several HRC members attended Commissioner training on November 14, 2008. The training was sponsoredby the Maryland Association of Human Rights Agencies.

Felicia Turner was appointed HRC Parliamentarian to replace Karen Sheffer-Tucker who resigned becauseof employment demands.

The County Commissioners voted to approve the HRCs request to consolidate and streamline their alreadyexisting Regulations. The request was approved on October 21, 2008.

The HRC contracted with Marc Scott, Frederick Community College, to facilitate two planning sessions todevelop a three year Strategic Plan for the HRC. The planning included developing a Mission Statement, aVision Statement, and Objectives, as well as an Action Plan. After completing the initial draft of the StrategicPlan, Mr. Scott suggested that the HRC form committees to take on the most pressing issues first. The Strategic

Plan was presented to the County Commissioners for comment. As a result of the Strategic Plan the followingsub-committees were established:

Government Relations Committee Community Relations Committee Internal Relations Committee

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

(continued)

The HRC sponsored a Get Acquainted luncheon with Maryland State Senators, Delegates and theFrederick County Commissioners.

On November 10, 2008, an official request was received for an appeal hearing by the HRC to a decisionmade by the HRD after an investigation, that there was no reasonable cause to believe that employmentdiscrimination (Termination) occurred on the basis of (Familial Status/Pregnancy), as the complainant hadalleged. After reviewing the file, the HRC Hearing Panel affirmed and upheld the finding of the HRD, anddenied/dismissed the appeal. The complainant was advised that she had 30 days to appeal the HRCs decisionto the Circuit Court for Frederick County in accordance with Title 7, Chapter 200, of Maryland Rules ofProcedure.

On December 5, 2008, the HRC sponsored a Human Rights Day Open House at C. Burr Artz Library. TheCounty Commissioners signed a proclamation proclaiming December 5, 2008 as Human Rights Day inFrederick County. The HRC unveiled their Peace and Harmony in Diversity Quilt at the Open House. Connie

Castenera, who designed the quilt, attended and discussed the origins of the quilt. The quilt was presented tothe County Commissioners to be displayed at Winchester Hall permanently after it has been on display at theschools that participated in designing quilt patches.

Additional Commissioner training was held on March 24, 2009 for those HRC members who were not ableto attend the November 14

thtraining. The training was facilitated by Michael Carlis, Administrative Law

Judge, and Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings.

Angela Spencer was appointed HRC Member at Large to replace Michael North who resigned for personalreasons.

The HRC was a presenting co-sponsor for the second annual Pangaea Frederick Festival and NaturalizationCeremony, which was held on Saturday, May 9, 2009. The HRCs participation included planning and stagingthe Naturalization Ceremony. Sixty-three individuals took the Oath of Allegiance to become naturalizedAmerican citizens at this years ceremony. The Oath was administered by officials from the U.S. Citizenshipand Immigration Services.

HRCs 2009 annual Awards Program was held on Monday, April 6, 2009. One student from each FrederickCounty public high school and the Maryland School for the Deaf were recognized for their human rightsachievements, and presented with a $200 scholarship. Awards were also presented to a local organization andtwo individuals for their human rights efforts in the community.

In May 2009, the HRC began the process of updating and modifying its By-Laws and Rules of Procedures.This process should be completed within the next few months.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

(continued)

The HRC is currently working on a response to the Frederick Police Departments 2007 and 2008

affirmative actions reports. A combined HRC report for 2007and 2008 will be completed and submitted toChief Dine by early August 2009.

History of the HRCs Involvement in the Frederick Police Action Plan

In (1994), the City of Frederick entered into a Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice in the case of Willie J.Mahone v. Richard Ashton, et al in the Circuit Court of Maryland for Frederick County, Case No. 2984L. Thesaid stipulation provides for the implementation of an Action Plan. In accordance with the Action Plan theHRC is charged with issuing an annual public report of the efforts made by the Police Department to implementa Recruitment Plan, and the degree of success that the Recruitment Plan has had in reaching the goals set by theAffirmative Action Plan, which is to include African-American Officers in a percentage no less than the

percentage of African-American adults between the ages of 21 and 70 in the adult population of the City.

In fiscal year 2009, Frederick County faced several issues that caused the community to be divided along thelines of race and national origin, i.e. the ongoing community strife following the death of an African Americanyouth who died after being struck by a Taser, the agreement between the Frederick County Sheriffs Office andU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (287g) to deport criminal illegal immigrants, just to name a few.Like so many other communities throughout this great nation, Frederick County is facing many challenges.One goal of the HRC is to help find common ground, so that we as a community can work together to resolvehuman rights issues when they arise, and to foster a climate of peace and harmony.

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On November 10, 2008, an official request was received for an appeal hearing by the HRC to a decision madeby the HRD, that there was no reasonable cause to believe that employment discrimination (Termination)occurred on the basis of Familial Status/Pregnancy, as the complainant had alleged.

After a thorough review of the file, the HRC Hearing Panel affirmed and upheld the finding of the HRD, anddenied/dismissed the appeal request. The complainant was advised by certified, return receipt mail on March27, 2009 that her request had been denied.

On April 1, 2009 complainant was further informed that she had 30 days from March 31, 2009 to appeal theHRCs decision to the Circuit Court for Frederick County in accordance with Title 7, Chapter 200, of MarylandRules.

CASE PROCESSING

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2008

July As an outcome of the HRC Retreat on January 19, 2008, the HRC began the process ofconsolidating their various enabling documents. After several meetings with Linda Thall,recommended changes were drafted by the HRD. The proposed changes that wererecommended went before the full HRC for a vote. A unanimous vote was taken to moveforward with the proposed changes as presented.

The HRCs request that proposed comprehensive changes to the HRC Ordinance be included inthe Countys 2009 Legislative Packet was forwarded to the County Attorneys Office.

The following individuals were appointed to serve on the HRC Budget Review Committee:

Jack Thomas, Sr.Hayden B. DukeElizabeth Chung

The Budget Review Committee met with HRD staff to discuss projected 2009 expenditures.

G. Michael Corrigan, Felicia Turner and Joseph Berman were appointed to the HRC by theFrederick County Commissioners.

August Planning began for the 2008 Human Rights Day Celebration. The Celebration was held onDecember 5, 2008, and consisted of an Open House and a proclamation signing by the CountyCommissioners.

Planning sessions for the HRC three year Strategic Plan were held on August 2, 2008 and August23, 2008, at Frederick Community College. The sessions were facilitated by Mr. Marc Scott,Business Consultant-Customized Trainer, Frederick Community College. After completing theplanning sessions, Mr. Scott submitted his initial comments and his transcribed notes to the HRCfor review, along with a draft working document. Mr. Scott recommended that the HRC formsmall committees to take on the most pressing activities in the plan first. The following

committees were established:

Outreach Committee Hayden B. Duke Legislative Committee Karen Sheffer-Tucker & Charlotte Lawson-Davis Management Committee Jack Thomas

The names of the committees were later changed to Community Relations, Internal Relations andGovernment Relations

MONTHLY ACTIVITIES OF THE HUMAN RELATION COMMISSION

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HRD staff recommended that the HRC form a committee to work with staff to review andre-structure (not change) Mr. Scotts draft document. The following members volunteered to theon the Strategic Planning Finalization Sub-Committee:

Sam Bennett, Jr.Hayden B. Duke

Michael CorriganErnell GrahamMichael North

On May 8, 2008, the HRC received a report from CASA De Maryland regarding ImmigrationEnforcement. In the report, CASA made allegations of patterns of discrimination by theFrederick County Sheriffs Office, such as racial profiling and increased immigrantincarceration rates at the Adult Detention Center. The report included recommendations that theHRC:(1) Initiate an investigation into racial profiling at the Frederick County Sheriffs Office, and(2) Initiate an investigation into why the ADC Latino population has experienced a precipitous

jump in the number of arrested.

CASA requested a planning meeting with HRC members to discuss these issues and to plan ahearing. HRC members Michael North and Hayden B. Duke agreed to join HRD staff for ameeting with CASA representatives to consider a format, the rules, the date and time for ahearing. The planning meeting was scheduled to be held on October 22, 2008.

September Members of the HRC participated in the 2008 Latino Festival. This event was held onSeptember 28, 2008 at Frederick Community College. It was well attended and served as apositive forum to enhance human relations as well as matters of understanding diversity inFrederick County. HRC members who attended include Sam Bennett, Felicia Turner, and

Hayden B. Duke and Jack Thomas.

The HRC Strategic Planning Finalization Sub-committee invited the full HRC to attend afollow-up session to make final adjustments to the three year Strategic Plan. The follow-upsession was scheduled for October 14, 2008.

The HRC sponsored a Get Acquainted Luncheon on September 4, 2008 at the DelaplaineVisual Arts Education Center. Invitations to the luncheon were extended to Maryland StateSenators and Delegates for Frederick County, and the Frederick County Commissioners. Thiswas an unprecedented event for the HRC that provided an opportunity to personally getacquainted and to brief the invited guests on human relations matters in Frederick County. The

HRC believes that such informal get-togethers will foster an environment of mutualunderstanding, camaraderie, and teamwork.

A Work Session before the County Commissioners was held on September 2, 2008 to discussand vote on the consolidation and streamlining of the HRC Regulations. Several HRCmembers attended the Work Session.

A Work Session before the County Commissioners was held on September 9, 2008 to vote onwhat will be included in the Countys Legislative Packet. Several HRC members attended theWork Session.

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October A Public Hearing before the County Commissioners was held on October 21, 2008 to discussand vote on the consolidation and streamlining of the HRC Regulations. The Countys 2009Legislative Packet was also discussed at the public hearing. Public input was received onwhether or not to include the HRCs legislative request in the Packet.

HRC members and HRD staff attended the annual In The Streets festival on October 5,2008. HRC members passed out brochures and answered questions. This was a greatopportunity for the HRC to make the community more aware of its existence, and to educate thecommunity on its functions and duties.

Due to reasons that were out of the HRCs control, the initial planning meeting withrepresentatives from CASA was cancelled. The HRC agreed to draft a letter to CASA toinform them that the HRC had instructed its Community Relations committee to conductadditional deliberations on CASAs request prior to setting a specific date for a hearing.

Modifications to the HRC Regulations were approved by the County Commissioners at theOctober 21, 2008 Public Hearing.

At a County Commissioners Work Session on October 28, 2008, the Commissioners approveda recommendation to remove the HRCs request from the Countys Legislative Packet, andbegin the process of amending the HRC Regulations locally. The HRC worked with theCounty Commissioners and the County Attorneys Office to get the language perfected thatwill make discrimination unlawful as well as contrary to public policy in Frederick County.

November The Maryland Association of Human Rights Agencies sponsored a Commissioner TrainingConference on November 14, 2008, at Howard County Community College, in Columbia,

Maryland. Seven HRC members attended the training. Sam Bennett commented that one ofthe most important segments of the training was the training on the appeal hearing process.

The HRC discussed an appeal hearing request that was received in an employment case onNovember 10, 2008. The case was investigated, and a finding was made on the merits of thecase by the HRD. Upon appeal, the case was certified for public hearing by the HRD, andturned over to the HRC. A panel of three HRC members reviewed the case file to decidewhether to uphold the finding of the HRD, or to conduct an independent appeal hearing.

Sam Bennett attended a Hispanic Forum at Shepherd on November 1, 2008, at the request ofJan Gardner, President, Frederick County Commissioners. Mr. Bennett was invited to provide

an overview of the duties and functions of the HRC, and to discuss the difference between theHRC and the HRD.

The HRC Community Relations sub-committee was appointed to serve as the planningcommittee for the Awards Program. The Awards Program was held on April 6, 2009

.December The HRC Human Rights Day Celebration was held on December 5, 2008. The event was very

well received, although not well attended. The HRC Peace and Harmony in Diversity Quiltwas unveiled at the celebration. The quilt was on display at The Banner School prior to beingpresented to the County Commissioners. The permanent home for the quilt is Winchester Hall.

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History of the Peace and Harmony in Diversity Quilt Project

The quilt project was sponsored by Frederick County Human Relations Commission andFriends. Connie Castanera was the Quilt Coordinator. The quilt project originated from theHRC 2006 Human Rights Day Planning Committee. The 2006 theme was FrederickReimagined, Our Roots, Our Dreams, Our Vision, A Gathering for Social Harmony. Through

the use of 6 x 6 quilt patches, ceramic, posters and other artwork, Fredericks diversity andthe concept of peace and harmony in Frederick County was visualized. Most of the quiltpatches were designed by students from The Banner School, Middletown Middle School, andGovernor Thomas Johnson High School. Patches were also designed by Howard CountyOffice of Human Rights and Connie Castanera.

Adeyemi Adeoye and Garth Phoebus were appointed to the HRC by the Frederick CountyCommissioners.

2009

January In terms of substance, the HRC approved the final version of the Strategic Plan. The HRCsubmitted a copy of the Plan to the County Commissioners, along with a cover letter underSamuel Bennetts signature, which explained the process the HRC went through to develop thePlan and its Milestones. The County Commissioners were invited to make comments on thePlan as presented.

An HRC Appeal Panel was appointed to review the complete file of the case on appeal to theHRC. A minimum of three people must be appointed to the Appeal Panel. The Appeal Panelconsisted of:

Samuel Bennett, Jr.Sandra Baker

Jack Thomas, Sr.

The County Attorneys Office gave the HRC legal guidance on this matter. After reviewingthe case file, the Appeal Panel was charged with making a determination on whether an appealhearing would be held, or whether the HRDs finding of No Probable Cause to believe thatdiscrimination occurred would be upheld.

February The HRC spent considerable time in the month of February planning for the 2009Awards

Program (April 6, 2009), and the Naturalization Ceremony/Pangaea Frederick Festival (May9, 2009).

The HRC submitted a letter of congratulations and support for the Frederick PoliceDepartments 2009 re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for LawEnforcement Agencies (CALEA).

Angela Spencer was appointed the serve as Member at Large on the HRC ExecutiveCommittee.

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March A County Commissioners Work Session was held on March 3, 2009 to request approval toamend Section 1-2-93 of the Human Relations Ordinance to state that Discrimination isUnlawful in Frederick County.

After meeting with the County Attorneys Office, the HRC Appeal Panel concluded that theHRD conducted a thorough investigation of the complaint that was on appeal to the HRC, and

that it would not be in the publics interest to conduct a hearing. The Appeal Panel affirmedand upheld the finding by the HRD that there was no reasonable cause to believe thatemployment discrimination (termination) had occurred on the basis of FamilialStatus/Pregnancy, and denied/dismissed the appeal request. The HRCs decision along withinstructions on what the next level of appeal would be for the complaint was put in writing andsent via certified mail to both parties involved in the case

Samuel Bennett wrote an article for his weekly Frederick News Post column about the HRCAwards Program, and encouraged the public to submit nominations to the HRC for the variousawards to be presented. Mr. Bennett wrote several articles for his newspaper column insupport of HRC events and activities.

The HRC received annual reports from the Frederick Police Department for 2007 and 2008 ontheir affirmation actions recruitment efforts. The HRC Government Relations Committee willreview both reports and prepare a response.

On March 24, 2009, the HRC sponsored Appeal Training for those HRC members who werenot able to attend the training in November 2008. The appeal training work shop wasfacilitated by Michael Carlis, Administrative Law Judge, Maryland Office of AdministrativeHearings.

Charlotte Lawson Davis was appointed to the HRC by the Frederick County Commissioners.

April A Public Hearing before the County Commissioners, to add Unlawful language to theCounty Code was held on April 21, 2009. The County Commissioners voted unanimously toapprove the requested language change to the County Code.

The HRC held its annual Human Rights Awards Program on Monday, April 6, 2009 atCeresville Mansion. This event recognizes and celebrates County residents, businesses,organizations and students for their commitment to increase diversity awareness and enddiscrimination. One student from each of the public high schools in Frederick County and theMaryland School for the Deaf (a total of ten students) were recognized. Other awardspresented this year included:

Carl Hildebrand, CPA received the Theodore W. Stephens Achievement Award GAL PALS Program received the Human Relations Award Reverend Peter V. Sum received the Lord D. Nickens Community Service Award

The HRC Internal Relations Committee was charged with reviewing and recommendingchanges to the current By-Laws and Rules of Procedures. The HRD was asked to conduct theinitial review of the documents, and to make recommended changes to the HRC InternalRelations Committee.

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The HRC appointed a Nominating Committee for the upcoming HRC Election of Officers forFY 10. The following members were appointed:

Angela Spencer ChairSandra Baker

Joseph Berman

The Naturalization Ceremony and Pangaea Frederick Festival were held on May 9, 2009, atthe West Ridge Square Shopping Center, Frederick. The HRC was responsible for planningand assisting in the execution of the Naturalization Ceremony. Sixty three individuals tookthe Oath of Allegiance to become American citizens at the ceremony. Commissioner DavidGray was the guest speaker for the event. The HRC also set up an information booth at thePangaea Frederick Festival.

At the HRCs May 26, 2009 monthly meeting, the HRC Nominating Committee presentedthe following slate of nominations for HRC FY 10 Officers:

Hayden B. Duke, Jr.- Chairperson Angela Spencer - Vice Chairperson Jack A. Thomas - Treasurer Felicia Turner - Parliamentarian Irene Packer Halsey - Member at Large

June HRC Election of Officers was held at the June 30, 2009 HRC meeting. The floor was openedfor nominations. The results of the election will be made available within a few days.

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IMMIGRATION

[287 (g)] Like so many other communities throughout this great nation, Frederick County is facing many challenges. Perhaps, there isnone greater than finding and implementing appropriate solutions to matters of immigration both legal and illegal. A myriad offactors have come together at this time to cause tension in the community at large surrounding this program. Fortunately, segments othe community have been able to sit down together to discuss some of the issues and concerns about 287(g). We thoroughly believethat the community at large will continue to work toward common ground on this issue.

LAWENFORCEMENTANDCOMMUNITYRELATIONS[Providing Police Services] The aforementioned community tension, born of divergent views concerning immigration and relatedmatters, has acerbated the already difficult duties of law enforcement. There is a considerable divide in the community on how best toprovide policing services.

VALUINGDIVERSITY[Lunar New Year] The Chinese Lunar New Year which took place in February is an annual event that highlights one of FrederickCountys many diverse communities. This event is a fitting and proper addition to the many events taking place in February, which isBlack History Month.

[Naturalization] No single event captures the spirit and promise of diversity, in its entirety, quite like the annual NaturalizationCeremony. 2009 was the second year that the HRC had an opportunity to partner with the City of Frederick to present the PangaeaFrederick Festival and Naturalization Ceremony.

[Pangaea Frederick] The twenty-one year old custom of celebrating Fredericks cultural diversity with ethnic music, foodperformances and a naturalization ceremony, was held on Saturday May 9, 2009. This years event has grown tremendously. Pangaeais expected to repeat this success annually, showcasing Frederick Countys commitment to diversity and equal opportunity for all.

MATTERS AFFECTING DISCRIMINATION TRENDSIN FREDERICK COUNTY

Documents

Frederick County, MD Human Relations Commission - 2009 Annual Report