Beacon gives cash to human relations panel

$6,000 will go toward staffing

By Maeleeke J. Lavan
Poughkeepsie Journal

BEACON -- Continually making strides to serve the community, the Beacon Human Relations Commission is getting a $6,000 boost from the city.

Beacon's 2003 city budget for the first time includes funding for the commission, which will use the money in part to create a staff position, commission Chairman Imam Malik Shabazz said.

''What that illustrates is the city government's commitment to ensure that the necessary and adequate re-sources to professionally respond to issues and concerns -- perceived or actual -- of discrimination are appropriately and adequately addressed,'' he said.

The person hired will be able to work hands-on with residents addressing complaints and/or concerns that may arise.

Commission member Dorothy Paulin said she's ''encouraged'' by the support the city provided to the commission through budget funding.

''It's a positive thing,'' said Paulin, the executive director of the Martin Luther King Cultural Center. ''The city has embraced this and is in support of us. This shows that we're moving in the right direction.''

Fest, barbecues held

Since its reinstatement in October 2001, the commission has brought the community together the past year through a symposium, festival and family barbecues.

The events have been successful, leading to plans for similar events this year.

Providing residents with a place they can turn to and express varying needs is important to residents and the commission.

''The demographics are really changing within the City of Beacon,'' Shabazz said. ''There's a tremendous need to have some sort of entity in place within our city that can help bridge the gap to create and foster a community climate of equity, opportunity and justice.''

Over the past year, the commission and the community have reciprocated support to one another.

''They're very receptive,'' Paulin said of residents' support of the commission. ''We've gotten some very positive feedback.''

Paulin said she expects as the commission becomes more involved in the community, positive feedback and support will continue to flourish.

When sorting through the concerns of a diverse community, it is equally important for the commission to have a wide spectrum of members to ensure the entire community is served.

The commission consists of 14 community members, including business people, professionals, residents and educators.

Ultimately, Shabazz said, he would like to see the commission be ''proficient and efficient in order to ensure that the commission is a viable and credible entity within the community.''

Where to call

To contact the Beacon Human Relations Commission, call (845) 838-5094.