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HAAB Minutes 04/29/1999 Joint Mtg Minutes Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Meeting April 29, 1999 3PECIAL JOINT MEETING OF T. . HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD AND THE BLACK AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF MEETING of April 29, 1999 at the County Commission Meeting Room, Naples, Florida PRESENT: ABSENT: Frank Rodriguez, Chairman, HAAB Dora Vidaurri, HAAB Member Pete Cade, HAAB Member David Correa, HAAB Member Faye Reddick, HAAB Member Frank Loney, HAAB Member Rarniro Mafialich, Chief Assistant County Attorney and HAAB Staff Liaison Member Fitzgerald Frater, Chairman, BAAB Robert Bennett, BAAB Member Rufus Watson, BAAB Member Eric Baird, BAAB Member Al Wahbey, BAAB Member Henry C. Tribble, BAAB Member Vienne Johnson Niehans, BAAB Member Andre Levy, BAAB Member Phil Tindall, Staff Liaison Member, BAAB Kate Warner, HAAB Member Maria Grimaldo, HAAB Member ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Jerome Van Hook II, NAACP Kat Jones, NAACP Barbara Turrentine-Bowe, Resident Kim Long, Resident Bernice Moore, Resident Chris Straton, Resident Russ Reddick, Resident Victor Valdes, Las Naciones News The April 29, 1999 special joint meeting of the Collier County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board (HAAB) and the Black Affairs Advisory Board (BAAB) commenced at approximately 7:20 P.M. A quorum of five (5) members were present from HAAB and six (6) members were present from BAAB. HAAB Chairman, Frank. __odriguez called the meeting to order. /rank Rodriguez welcomes BAAB and the community members present, and the NAACP. Mr. Rodriguez reminds everyone that this special meeting was scheduled for two (2) issues: I) The appointment of Dr. White as Superintendent of Collier County Public Schools. 2) Making the official language of Collier County. Appointment of SllPerintendent: Chairman Frank Rodriguez asked the NAACP President, Jerome Vanhook, for input regarding the selection ofthe School Board Superintendent. Mr. Vanhook states the community should come together as to what changes we want; regardless if Dan White is Superintendent. He stated all findings have been submitted to the State and that they will look at everything. "We need to find a resolution as a group." Mr. Vanhook feels the community needs to come together, because we are the ones who put these people there, talking about the School Board members. Mr. Vanhook also stated that we need more minorities on boards. BAAB Chairman, Fitzgerald Frater, asked Mr. Vanhook if we were trying to reverse the contract. Mr. Vanhook stated that it's a fine line, that the video shows everything. He feels the School Board are not supportive for the community, therefore, we need to make changes by having these people removed by voting. Frank Loney expresses his feelings towards the School Board members. He feels that they do not listen to the community, that a meeting held in Immokalee shows clearly that the School Board members do not listen to the community. Mr. Vanhook assures the board members that the School Board members and Dr. White are nervous. Mrs. Niehans recognizes Mrs. Long and explains she was in the committee for the search of the superintendent position and that she has met with Dan White. BAAB Chairman, Fitzgerald Frater, explains that our goal is to reverse the position of Dan White and come up with a plan to accomplish it. Were the School Board members correct in appointing Dan White as Superintendent. Frank Rodriguez explains that we do need to come up with a strategy. He explains that we are talking about legal issues on whether the School Board meeting was appropriate. Feels the community should have input without the community being put with laws. Mrs. Niehans explains that regardless if the Board broke laws, they should answer to the community and be accountable for any violations. Mrs. Turrentine-Bowe explains that Dr. White has not yet taken the position that has been offered to him. That on May 6,1999, he will make that decision. 2 Mr. Tribble asked w,,_ .he public informed of the meeting. Mr. Vanhook: explains that the public was not informed or at least not appropriately. That they declared it an emergency meeting, but it did not fall in compliance with statute. Mr. Vanhook explained the definition of an emergency meeting; being a danger to safety, health, etc. He state the Board only carne up with teacher morality. He further explains that the motion brought on was improper. Mr. Tribble suggests a committee should be formed to write a letter to the School Board. BAAB Chairman suggests we get the copy of the newspaper, the video and have someone review it and see if they were in compliance and then write a letter and be specific n the findings. Mr. Vanhook reads some of the complaints prepared by the NAACP and the community. He advises that they have done that and they have submitted it to the State. He also advises that there is no contract regarding the interim. Mrs. Levy suggests that the Board request that no action be taken until the investigation on the charges are complete. Mr. Tribble suggests that along with our request, that we explain to them why no action should be taken, and request a response. The public explains that the Board is already in litigation. Mr. Mafialich reads some of the ordinance of the Boards duties. Mr. Vanhook explains that we are going to have to move back and let the State do its investigation, because everything has been given to them including the tape. BAAB Chairman, Fitzgerald Frater, suggests that an attorney be detained to review the findings. Mr. Watson asked that we suggest that the position for Superintendent be delayed until the investigation. Mrs. Levy makes a motion that a resolution be made to be ready on May 5, 1999, pending the findings of the attorney, whether its legal. Frank Loney seconds the motion. Mrs. Niehans explains that even if the findings are legal, that what the School Board did was wrong. Rarniro Mafialich stated that the Board did not have a counsel and that we should be aiming at the community. David Correa explains that we should submit a letter to the School Board regarding the Superintendent position and that this should not be a minority issue, that we should get white people involved. 3 Mrs. Levy withdrawals her motion. Mr. Watson motions that both Boards will ask the Collier County School Board not to narne a permanent superintendent until the selection process for those who have not gone through the screening. Mrs. Levy seconds the motion. Motion carries unanimously by both Boards. English as the Official Language: Chairman Frank Rodriguez gives a brief on the last HAAB meeting regarding making English the official language for Collier County. He explained to the members that a letter was sent out on April 26, 1999, requesting that the resolution be rescinded. Mr. Rodriguez stated that he had spoken with Commissioner Constantine and that he was willing to bring input to his board regarding diversity. He feels that the issues on the resolution are being looked at differently now, therefore, this was a great opportunity for input to be given. He feels a resolution for implementation for polices being changed for diversity. To help expand Collier Comity with diversity along with bringing other businesses from different countries. Mr. Rodriguez stated that the Board would not rescind the resolution for the sake of the Board's decision. Frank Loney states that the resolution was based on a letter from California. Mr. Tribble suggests that we request as to why they did what they did. HAAB Chairman motions that a letter of support be sent to Collier County Board of Commissioners in regards to rescinding the resolution. Second by Rufus Watson. Motion carries unanimously. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:05 P.M. Prepared by: Dora Vidaurri, HAAB Member Approved by the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board On~Day of June, 1999. 4