Urgent Announcement regarding the FTW Human Relations Commission

Urgent Announcement regarding the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission:

The letter, below, from Estrus Tucker, Chair of the Fort Worth Human
Relations Commission, is not what we had in mind as an update from the
Commission. However, it is necessary and urgent. A budget proposal has
been made to the Fort Worth City Council, which could lessen the authority
and effectiveness of the Human Relations Commission to enforce laws against
discrimination in Fort Worth. This will be unfortunate for many residents,
including the deaf and hard of hearing community, persons with disabilities,
and others who are vulnerable to discrimination.

We need your support. Please join us for the first of a series of Council
meetings on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. in the Fort Worth City
Council Chamber – 2nd Floor City Hall – at 1000 Throckmorton Street – Fort
Worth, Texas 76102. Estrus will address the Council and time will be
allowed for citizen presentations.

Please pass this on to persons you may know in Fort Worth and encourage them
to attend. The City Council’s decision will affect all diversities of
people and could set a precedent for other cities to follow. The budget
proposal also raises the question: What kind of precedent does the City of
Fort Worth want to set?

Sign Language Interpreters will be provided. For anyone needing CART
service, please contact Tracy Bancroft-Lasseter at 817-392-8988 or email
[email protected] as soon as possible.

Thank you. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you on
Tuesday.

Sincerely,

Tracey Michol
Commissioner
Fort Worth Human Relations Commission

August 12, 2010

Dear Community Ally;

Our City Manager and staff leaders have done an admirable job in developing
a proposed budget in response to an astronomical $73 million funding gap.
And our City Council is working hard to gain clarity and insure the final
budget outcome is the best possible for our city.

Given the staff reductions and redistributions that directly affect the
viability of the Human Relations Commission’s policy directives related to
fair housing, equal employment opportunities, fair access to public
accommodations and efforts to eliminate discrimination and improve community
relations, we are compelled to respectfully speak out and act on behalf of
vulnerable Fort Worth citizens and neighborhoods, and our collective quality
of life.

We plan to address our City Council on Tuesday, August 17th at 10 AM.

Please join me and my fellow Commissioners in ensuring Fort Worth’s
continued progress in affirmatively furthering fair housing, equal
employment opportunities, fair access to public accommodations and the
innovative service delivery that has helped Fort Worth be one of the most
livable cities in the world. Our city desperately needs your voice, presence
and professional and civic insight on the impact of our significantly
reduced capacity to respond to the critical needs of Fort Worth residents in
the areas of civil and human rights.

Please share this message with others in your circle of influence and
immediately contact me (817-291-3683) or Director Vanessa Ruiz Boling
(817-392-7534 or 817-929-8937) for more information on ways your voice can
contribute to our collective efforts in support of City leaders and all
residents of Fort Worth.

Sincerely,

Estrus Tucker,
Chair, City of Fort Worth Human Relations Commission

Cc: Mayor Mike Moncrief
Cc: Fort Worth City Councilpersons
Cc: Fort Worth City Manager Dale Fisseler
Cc: Fort Worth Human Relations Commissioners

Fort Worth City Hall is wheelchair accessible. Persons with disabilities who
plan to attend this meeting and who may need accommodations, auxiliary aids,
or services such as interpreters, readers, or large print are requested to
contact Tracy Bancroft-Lasseter at 817-392-8988 or email
[email protected] at least 48 hours prior to the
meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made. If the City does not
receive notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting, the City will
make a reasonable attempt to provide the necessary accommodations.

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