Around Amherst: Human Rights Commission gives town high marks

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Staff Writer

Published: 08-25-2023 7:11 PM

AMHERST — Amherst’s Human Rights Commission is praising the state of human rights in town, including the Town Council’s adoption of a resolution affirming a commitment to “end structural racism and achieve racial equity for Black residents” and creating the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service departments.

“These actions are a positive and concrete expression of the town’s commitment to anti-racism,” members of the panel wrote in a report sent to the Town Council. “The town has also moved legislation on human rights topics such as climate, health and housing for all. We thank the town for these actions.”

At the Town Council meeting Monday, Liz Haygood and Rani Parker, who are co-chairing the Human Rights Commission, observed that a majority of the commissioners are new and three vacancies need to be filled.

“We are a very, very committed group,” Parker said. “We take human rights very seriously in Amherst.”

“In order for us to be effective, we need to have a full commission,” Parker said.

Parker noted that events to celebrate differences and the full richness of the town, including ethnicities and genders, happen with support from the commission. “We want to celebrate everybody,” Parker said. Latinx Heritage Month, for instance, will be recognized Sept. 24 from noon to 3 p.m.

Parker also praised DEI Director Pamela Nolan Young and assistant Jennifer Moyston. “It’s really astounding the amount of work they do,” Parker said.

The commission also provides an opportunity for people to speak out if encountering a human rights violation. Though it has no formal authority, the commission often aims to find a resolution.

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“I appreciate that even though we have no authority to create policy or make right what someone’s complaint is, that we do have the authority to point them in the correct and right direction,” Haygood said.

During the 2022- 2023 fiscal year the commission received and filed seven complaints, including alleged discrimination by an Amherst business owner that was previously adjudicated in the Superior Court, the interaction between Amherst police officers and youths on July 5, 2022, no-trespass orders issued by Amherst College, unprofessional behavior and alleged discrimination by two town employees and the discrimination against transgender students at the middle school.

“Overall, the Human Rights Commission requests the town of Amherst to support human rights efforts such as affordable housing, anti-racism, climate actions, access to health care and any other human rights issue brought by residents to the commission,” the commissioners wrote.

Community breakfast

An annual Community Breakfast that serves as the kickoff event for the school year is being put on by the University of Massachusetts and the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce Tuesday from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

The breakfast, bringing together area business owners, legislators, municipal leaders and academics, will be at the Student Union Ballroom at UMass. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 at the door, with free parking in the Campus Center Parking Garage located at 1 Campus Center Way.

This will mark the first breakfast for new UMass Chancellor Javier Reyes. To register by phone or email, contact UMass Conference Services at 413-577-8102 or registration@umass.edu.

Rotary Fair

Amusement rides, carnival games and a variety of fair concessions are back on the Town Common as the annual Rotary Community Fair runs Friday through Sunday.

The fair, a staple of Amherst for more than 50 years, is on the green between South Pleasant Street and Boltwood Avenue.

It is also a major fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Amherst which meets the first and third Thursdays at noon at 30 Boltwood. Proceeds from the fair go to funding scholarships, assisting local nonprofits in the community through grants and other good works since its founding in 1926.

CPA grants

The application window for Community Preservation Act grants from Amherst opens Sept. 1 and closes Sept. 30.

Proposals for projects in support of community housing, historic preservation, open space and recreation are sought. Go to https://www.amherstma.gov/3511/Apply-for-CPA-Funds for more information and send email to cpac@amherstma.gov for more information.

Eviction

Hazel’s Blue Lagoon, a nightclub and bar at 31 Boltwood Walk, was recently evicted, based on a court order, according to Kathryn Chiavaroli, a representative for property owner Lincoln Real Estate.

Chiavaroli told the Board of License Commissioners at a recent meeting that the Aug. 1 eviction means owners Patrick Chapman and Junior Williams have to vacate the site. But Chiavaroli said she would like to get to the liquor license returned so that a new enterprise can move in. She intends to lease the space to Andrea Hunter and Gabe Krause so they can open a second bar and entertainment venue similar to their Gabe’s 252 in Westfield.

Meeting

WEDNESDAY: Board of Registrars, 10 a.m., First Floor Meeting Room, Town Hall.

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