HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-11 PACKET 07.Ken Smith
From: Christie Thompson [christielea21 @gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 5:59 PM
To: Ken Smith; councilmemberjen @aol.com; Francisco Gonzalez; Johnson Rick;
suzikoerner @gmaii.com; Linda Lundstrom; Kathy Washenberger
Cc: Christie Thompson
Subject: would like to plan with CGHSHRC presentation and q & a by MDHR Commissioner
Hi Folks,
I attended a presentation and questions and answers session with MDHR Commissioner Kevin Lindsey. Ken
forwarded us the invitation this weekend. Here's what I learned that's applicable to our commission:
- Commission Lindsey is very down -to- earth, intelligent / informed, a former attorney in law firms and for
Ramsey County Attorney's Office in Civil Division, took the reigns in March 2011, has served as a board
member on nonprofit organizations for people with disabilities, seniors, and innereity youth, has 3 teenage sons,
and is married;
- Commissioner Lindsey's Legislative and Community Affairs Liason is Mario Hernandez; Francisco knows
Mario; Mario came to me to talk to me after the presentation; he will be our contact with Commissioner
Lindsey; his contact info. is (651)539- 1093(w) / (651)285- 0245(m) & mario.hernandez@a state.mn.us
- There's no funding from MDHR for local h.r. commissions; we knew this, but I wanted to confirm it;
- MDHR will provide us with printed materials on key h. r. topics that we could distribute to community
members; and
- 1 of Commissioner Lindsey's main goals is to increase the visibility of local h. r. commissions, as it's critical
for MDHR to accomplish its mission; and
- there are many within state government who want to do away with or seriously cut funding for MDHR
because they believe that discrimination no longer exists and economic, employment, or other disparities exist
only because of lack of education and lifestyle choices.
I'd like us to plan and execute a presentation in or near C. G. for community members in S. Washington County
& beyond at which Commissioner Lindsey would speak and then answer questions. Perhaps Francisco and I
could spear head this since he knows Mario and I made initial contact with Mario. Commissioner Lindsey has 5
top topic issues that he likes to discuss - gap in employment between Whites & racial minorities, photo id
voting requirement, gay marriage amendment, lack of support for funding of MDHR because discrimination
doesn't exist, and why felons should be allowed to vote.
I forsee this oecuring on a weekday night, other than Wednesdays because of City Council and our meetings,
around 6:30 / 7 pm to 8 / 8:30 pm. What do y'all think?
In my humble opinion, all that we need to do is secure a free venue, find out what dates and times work for the
venue & Commissioner Lindsey, and advertise the presentation. We don't need refreshments or anything that
costs money, unless we know of someone who'd want to donate such. We don't have money and Linda, Suzi, &
I are working on
a fundraiser, but it's not going to happen soon.
Regarding venue, I can think of churches that would likely allow us to use space, but it was pointed out to me
that some people might not feel welcome in a church. Linda, could we use space at Washington County
Government Center in C. G.? Would there be a big enough space for up to 100 people? What other venue
options can y'all think of?
Regarding advertising, Ken, you can take care of advertising it on The City's website and in The City's
1
newsletter,
St. Paul Pioneer Press, S. Washington County Bulletin, Woodbury Bulletin, & Hastings Star Gazette, right? I'll
handle advertising it on our Facebook page.
Sincerely,
Christie L. Thompson,
ehristielea2l(c gznail.eom www. Iinkedin .com /in /christielthompson, (651)775- 7899(m)
"Genius is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration."
- Albert Einstein
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others ?"
- Dr. Martin Luther Ding, Jr.
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