MHRC needs to abide by mission statement
As a longtime member of the Middletown Human Rights Commission (MHRC), I must encourage the members of the MHRC as well as the Township Committee to review the mission statement of the HRC.

It states in part, "Their purpose is to foster, through community effort or otherwise, goodwill, cooperation and conciliation among the groups and elements of the citizens of the community, and to make recommendations to the Township Committee for the development of policies and procedures in general and for programs of formal and informal education that will aid to eliminate all types of discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age,marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, familial status, disability, nationality or sex."

I fear that some may have strayed way beyond this assigned mission and are encroaching on the areas more properly delegated to the county or State Human Rights Commission. Individuals who wish to get involved in areas outside of Middletown should do so, but not as the MHRC.

I do not understand how suing the Township Committee at the expense of our taxpayers does anything to foster "goodwill, cooperation and conciliation."

I also do not understand how anyone could believe that they are - by birthright or other reason - guaranteed an appointment or reappointment to a township board or commission. I, and all the members, certainly serve a specific term at the pleasure of the Township Committee. It is a fact that members of the Township Committee have publicly disagreed on the appointments of many members of township boards and commissions.

While I commend Dr. Schwebel for being an extremely articulate advocate for the disabled and being very passionate in her advocacy, I believe some of her tactics have damaged her credibility as an impartial member of the MHRC. Her confrontational legal actions have cost and are costing the taxpayers dearly.Members of township boards and commissions must avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Using the term WASP as a critical comment to derisively refer to other volunteer members is uncalled for, especially by one who should know better. As a Latina, I certainly object to Dr. Schwebel's use of that term to describe members of the Human Rights Commission.

I take great pride in the MHRC mission which ensures that the residents of Middletown always have a forum for issues of equality and fairness throughout the township.

I encourage the Township Committee to review the presentmembership of the MHRC and to fill the vacant positions. I recommend that the HRC have local religious leaders serve as ex-officiomembers to provide amore balanced approach to our mission, as well as to be more inclusive.

Bringing people together in a spirit of cooperation and conciliation is often hard. It is much easier to divide a community, as we can see.

The human rights commission needs to move on with their important work of bringing this community together, while recognizing that we are an advisory body only!
Maria A. Stokes
Member
Middletown Township
Human Rights Commission