Resolution reaffirms city as 'inclusive and welcoming'

Thursday, April 16, 2015

A non-discrimination resolution got a new name and a round of applause when it passed unanimously during the April session of the Greencastle City Council Tuesday night.

Now titled as a "Resolution Reaffirming Greencastle's Commitment to Providing an Inclusive and Welcoming Community," Resolution 2015-6 was introduced by City Councilmen Adam Cohen and Tyler Wade.

Both councilors believe Indiana has been viewed negatively after the recent firestorm over the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) passage in the State Legislature, and wanted to make sure the world knows the City of Greencastle celebrates inclusion and diversity.

Cohen, a Democrat who serves as Council president, and Wade, a Republican who is the Council's youngest member, introduced the resolution in hopes it makes the point that Greencastle is a welcoming community for one and all.

"Some people are calling it a historic night," Cohen said after the 4-0 passage of the measure (Councilman Mark Hammer was absent). "But I think it was more of a 'reaffirming night.' This is a community that cares about its people."

"I like the title," fellow City Council member Phyllis Rokicki said at the outset of the discussion, "adding the word 'reaffirming,' that's good."

The resolution, Cohen said, is only meant to give the city "some guiding principles."

It also specifies creation of a committee -- to be appointed by the Council president (Cohen) -- to work on "bringing all city laws and policies in line" with the statements included in the resolution.

It's a first step, Wade stressed, adding that the work of the committee will be to make certain all existing city ordinances comply.

"It just says, 'Hey, we're going to have a committee look into this,'" Wade added. "It doesn't just give it carte blanche."

Cohen agreed, commenting that "getting all the legalese to line up is going to take a bit of work."

Only one audience member chose to make a public comment, calling the non-discrimination resolution "more of a philosophical statement" while thanking the Council and expressing admiration that Greencastle is "a community willing to stand up" for its citizens.

With no one else in the larger-than-normal audience venturing up to the microphone, Councilor Jinsie Bingham asked, "Are most people here in agreement with what we propose?"

And in response, the crowd burst into spontaneous applause.

After the 4-0 vote was taken, Mayor Sue Murray thanked everyone for "their hard work and dedication toward making our community better."

The logical next step, Cohen said, should be creation of the committee called for in the resolution. He said the goal is to have that in place by the next Council session, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 12 at City Hall.

"That's step one," he said.

As approved by the City Council, Resolution 2015-6 reads as follows:

"Whereas, the City of Greencastle has made it a priority to welcome and promote diversity among its citizens, visitors and businesses; and

"Whereas, the city believes it is a fundamental right for all employees, residents and visitors to feel secure and welcome; and

"Whereas, the city feels the need to reaffirm its commitment to diversity and inclusion through laws and ordinances that protect individuals from discrimination; and

"Whereas, non-discriminatory legislation furthers a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest.

"Therefore, be it resolved that the Common Council of the City of Greencastle hereby:

"1. Adopts the philosophy that all city offices and companies that do business with the city should not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age or U.S. military veteran status, except where these statuses are a bona fide qualification for employment or otherwise allowed by law.

"2. Charges that city policies and procedures be revised where applicable to reflect this philosophy.

"3. Directs the president of City Council to appoint a committee to work on bringing all city laws and policies in line with this statement."

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  • WOW, discrimination instantly vanished from Putnam County ....

    -- Posted by GRNT on Fri, Apr 17, 2015, at 7:33 AM
  • This is great, now maybe when people display and offer Christian literature for people to pick up, they won't get fired and have to sue their employer, which happened to be a place of higher learning in Putnam County. Since Greencastle is going to ensure no discrimination this can never ever happen again.

    -- Posted by taylortwp on Sun, Apr 19, 2015, at 8:49 AM
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