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BAAB Backup Documents 06/08/1993 Backup Black Affairs Advisory Board Meeting June 8, 1993 MEMBER CHURCHES .u..CIlIpII,Aa~ ........ "'--...... """'" ........ ~llIpcillClud:l ..... ...-- ..- ~pblJdl...o..rdI ........ fhl.....o..dl ........ ~C...Cblrdl ........ StPdorI......Apoo;Iolrltt ..... s. .... CMhoIc Ouda ..... 1Mt,,... Ill....,...... .... ... Collier United For Rights and Equality, Inc. 1749 CR 951, Suite 104 Golden Gate, FI. 33999 (813) 455-8838 June 9, 1993 Mr. Henry C. Tribble, Chairperson Black Affairs Advisory Board, Collier County 980 Huron Court, Apt. 403 Marco Island FL 33937 Dear Mr. Tribble: Thank you for your presentation to our Assembly on June 7th in Immokalee about the proposal for the creation of the Collier County Department Human Rights Commission. It was very informative. Collier united for Rights and Equality, INc. has been very concerned about this important issue. One of our resolutions of our Third Annual Convention on October 31, 1992 was to authorize an action committee to speak to the county and city department officials about hiring goals and policies and to develop a plan to significantly increase the number of minority and multi-lingual staff members in publicly funded agencies. Our Assembly voted unanimously on June 7, 1993, to endorse the Black Affairs Advisory Board's proposal for the creation of a Collier County Department Human Rights Commission. Please let us know the date of this proposal's presentation before the Board of County Commissioners, as some of our members will be attending. We will be sending the petition to our member churches for their individual endorsement. We look forward to working together for justice in Collier County. Sincerely, c- ~. If ~) ~/"'#':"'''<4/ Dec. Charles A. Williams President ENDORSEMENTS: [Below are endoresments or the names of persons and organizations from whom we expect endorsements lEA = endorsement anticipated). An indication of EA does not guarantee such, and is not a representation of the formal position of such entity relative to this proposal.3 We endorse the above proposal. Any exceptions or additional comments will be addressed by a separate letter. ------------------------------------------------ CHAIRPERSON, HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD Date Date PRESIDENT, COLLIER COUNTY NAACP Date VICTOR A. VALDES, HISPANICS RIGHTS ADVOCATE Date FRED N. THOMAS, JR., Ph.M. Date DISABLED VETERANS OF COLLIER COUNTY Date HANDICAPPED IN ACTION ------------------------------------------------ Date WOMEN'S POLITICAL CAUCUS OF COLLIER COUNTY ------------------------------------------------ LATIN AMERICAN BUSINESS ~ PROFESSIONAL ASSN. Date AMERICAN-ASSOCIATION-OF-UNIVERSITY-WOMEN;-NAPLES Date MINORITY-EDUCATORS-CAUCUS----------------------- Date EVENINS-OPTIMISTS-OF-NAPLES----- Date NATIONAL-COUNCIL-OF-JEWISH-WOMEN---------------- C~ ~) " --------___ u_'t__~_~-~!~-~---------n- COLLIER UNITED FOR RIGHTS ~ EQUALITY (Approved unanimously on June 7,1193) Date Date _~_1...!Jl-3_____ '~II;~r~~ ~'. ,"; ~ . !!<iD....,:ri!l STATE OF FLORIDA Florida Commission on Human Relations Lawton Chiles, Governor Ronald M. McElrath, Executive Director May l8, 1993 Mr. Henry C. Tribble 980 Huron Court, Apt. 403 Marco Island, Florida 33937 Dear Mr. Tribble: In response to your letter dated March 22, 1993, I am able to provide the. following information for your organization. 1. Since July 1, 1991, the Florida Commission on HlDUan Relations (FCHR) has received 159 inquiries from Collier COunty, of that number. 8 were kept for investigation by FCHR, and 6 were waived to the U.S. Equal Employment Commission (EEOC) for investigation. 2. Since July 1, 1991, the FCHR has received 398 inquiries from Lee County, of that number, 25 were kept for investigation by FCHR, and 17 were waived to EEOC for investigation. Some of the information that you requested is confidential and we are prohibited by statute from giving it to you. Further, you should contact the EEOC in Miami for additional statistics as you are in their investigative area, and I'm sure that they would he more than happy to give you additional nlDUbers. As you mayor may not know, the Florida HlDUan Rights Act became the Florida Civil Rights Act on OCtober 1, 1992. I have enclosed a copy for your perusal. Under the new law, we now have l80 days to investigate a charge that alleges a harm occurring after October l, 1992; however, if the Complainant chose to participate in a post investigative hear ing process, the case could remain open for an undetermined amount of time. In regard to my attendance at a workshop, I must ask that once you have the dates confirmed that you contact my office and I will be able to make a decision as to my presence or having someone from my staff attend your workshop. If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. RMM:ph X~J fr7 Ronald M. McElrath Executive Director 325 John Knox Road / Suite 240 I Building F / Tallahassee 32399-1570 (904) 488-7082/ 1-800-342-8170 (Complaints Only, Voice or TDD) An Equal Opportunity Employer I Affirmative Action Employer William M. MIdyette. III PP.BlOENT. OQAP.D Of DIP.ECTOPS Peter F. Helwig EXEClllM OOECTOP. Main Office; 963 East MemO<ial OMJ. Past Office Dax 2461\8 lakeland, Fl33502-4655 (513) 61\8-7376 Client Use Only 1 (500) 277-7650 Dranch Offices: 406 S. E. Avenue E Suire 102 Oelle Glade, FL 334J0 (407) 996-5266 1 (500) 277-7447 2254 McGregor Olvd. Plaza Past Office llox 219 Fort Myel>, FL 33902-0219 (513) 334-4554 Client Use Only 1 (500) 476-5937 200 South Indian River Dr. Suite 101 Post Office Oox 4JJJ Fort Pierce. FL J4948-4JJJ (407) 466-4766 Client Use Only 1 (500) 476-4537 110 South Second Street Post Office Oox 1109 Immokalee, Fl JJ9J4 (513) 657-3651 Clienr Use Only 1 (500)476-1537 5700 lake Worth Rd Suite 212 lake Worth. Fl JJ46J (407) 965-4427 Client Use Only 1 (500) 254-45M 5110everty5r. Tallahassee. fl32J01 (904) 222-5945 LAW OFFICES Florida Kural Legal Services, Inc. REPLY TO: Immokalee June 8, 1993 Henry Tribble Chairman, Black Affairs Advisory Board 980 Huron Court #403 Marco Island, FL 33937 Dear Mr. Tribble: You have inquired regarding case data from our office which indicates one way or the other whether there is an ongoing problem with racial discrimination in Collier County. As a general observation, let me say that my own subjective perception is that of course there is a such a problem. Florida is still a Southern state, and especially in rural areas old attitudes die hard and in fact have not died. I personally encounter racial epithets frequently - and I am white. They are not directed at me, of course, rather at non-whites, by whites who think I will naturally be sympathetic. But attitudes reflected by language are only a reflection of what really goes on: jobs are denied non-whites, jobs are lost by non-whites, housing is less available to non-whites, and it tends to cost more, sometimes a lot more, than for whites. I see on avenge one new employment dbcriminaticn case a week, which is not a lot, except that we do no outreach in this subject area, and I estimate that the number of cases that actually occur is a large multiple of what we see. That is because many workers are afraid of retaliation if they bring a complaint against an employer, even a former employer. Threats of blacklisting are not unknown in this area. Another reason we feel confident in our assertion Ihat in farm work, which of course is widespread in the county, one person can practice discrimination against a large number of people at the same time, for example, when a crewleader refuses to hire workers of a certain ethnicity. This in fact occurs on a regular basis, and it is just as common for us to hear about it through only one victim. And, sadly, it is also just as common for that person to be unable to persuade his or her co-workers to come forward and complain. There are other areas of racial discrimination which we are involved in. We have had a substantial number of cases in the last couple of years involving discipline of students, which the numbers tend to suggest impacts more frequently on non-whites, and with heavier punishments. We are not prepared to conclude at this time that it is a systemic problem, but we believe that individual teachers and administrators have problems with race. It is common for such persons to deny this, and they may believe their assertions in good faith, yet the reality is pretty unavoidable. I believe a county program which helped to educate the public about the subtleties of discrimination would perform a valuable public service. There are other good reasons for having a county office to deal with discrimination. In my experience, both the state and federal offices which deal with discrimination, the Florida Commission on Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, have very heavy caseloads and simply are not able to give adequate attention to individual cases. Also, being familiar with local conditions, employers, housing vendors and vendors of public accomodations is very helpful in handling such cases, especially when complaints U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNIlY COMMISSION Miami District Office 1 ~on:heast First Street. 6th Floor Miami. FL 33132-2491 PH: (305) 536-4491 TDD: (305) 536-5721 FAX: (305) 536-4011 June 28, 1993 Henry C. Tribble, Chairman, Collier County Black Officers Advisory Board 980 Huron Court #403 Marco Island, FL 33937 Dear Mr. Tribble: This letter is in response to your request on activiLies of this commission with respect to Collier County. within the last 24~, months a total of 81 charges have been against respondents in Collier County. Currently a total of 68 charges re pending against respondents in Collier County. In addition, 51 charges against Collier County respondents have been completed within the last 24 months. Due to confidentiality requirements of the laws we enforce, specific charging parties and respondents cannot be identified. Similar information for Lee County is not included in the response. . A chart showing the normal charge processing procedures is attached. The time that elapses from filing to resolution varies on a case by case basis. The average processing time for all charges resolved by the Miami District Office for the period. October 1, 1992 to March 31, 1993, was 240 days. your request. If you have any further me at 305/530-6060. EncIs. FC/GEE/imp 8.~~~ ~_.,"--:.~~ ~ STATE OF FLORIDA Florida Commission on Human Relations Lawton Chiles, Governor Ronald M. McElrath, Executive Director May 18, 1993 Mr. Henry C. Tribble 980 Huron Court, Apt. 403 Marco Island, Florida 33937 Dear Mr. Tribble: In response to your letter dated March 22, 1993, I am able to provide the, following information for your organization. 1. Since, July 1, 1991, the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) ..' has :ii received 159 inquiries from Collier County, of that. number,.8 were kept for.' investigation by FCHR, and 6 were waived to the U.S. Equal Employment Commission (EEOC) for' investigation. 2. Since July 1, 1991, the FCHR has received 398 inquiries from Lee County, of that' number; 25 were kept. for investigation' by ':FCIIR/" "and 17 were waived 'to EEOCfoi"'inVes ti~atic:m:' Some of the information that you requested is confidential and we are prohibited by statute from giving it to you. Further, you should contact the EEOC in Miami for additional statistics as you are in their investigative area, and I'm sure that they would be more than happy to give you additional numbers. As you mayor may not know, the Florida Human Rights Act became the Florida Civil Rights Act on October 1, 1992. I have enclosed a copy for your perusal. Under the new law, '~e now have 180 days to investigate a charge that alleges a harm occurring after October I, 1992; however, if the Complainant chose to participate in a post investigative hearing process, the case could remain open for an undetermined amount of time. In regard to my attendance at a workshop, I must ask that once you have the dates confirmed that you contact my office and I will be able to make a decision as to my presence or having someone from my staff attend your workshop. If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. RMM:ph ~~~:'/~J fr7 Ronald M. McElrath Executive Director 326 John Knox Road I Suite 240/ Building F I Tallahassee 32399-1670 (904) 488-7082/1-800-342-8170 (Complaints Only, Voice or TDD) An Equal Opportunity Employer I Affinnative Action Employer William M. Midyette, III PRE5IDENT. OOMD OF DIP.EGOI\5 PeTer F. Helwig EXEOJTIVE DIREGOR Main Office: 96J East Memorial Olvd. Posr Ottice Oox 24688 Lakeland, FL JJ802-4688 (81J) 688-7J76 ClienT Use Only 1 (800) 277-7680 Dranch Offices: 406 S E. Avenue E Suite 102 Delle Glade, FL JJ4JO (407) 996-5266 1 (800) 277-7447 2254 McGregor Otvd. Plaza POST Office Oox 219 FaIT Myers, FL JJ902-0219 (813) 334-4554 Clienr Use Only 1 (800) 476-89J7 200 Sourh Indian River Dr. SUire 101 POST Office Dox 4JJJ Fort Pierce, FL J4948-4333 (407) 466-4766 CHent Use Only 1 (BCD) 476-45J7 110 SouTh Second Street POST Office Oox 1109 Immoi<;olee. FL JJ9J4 (81J) 657-J681 Client Use Only 1 (800) 476-18J7 5700 Lake Worth P-d. Suite 212 LoI~e Worrh, FL JJ46,J (407) 968-4427 CiienT Use Only 1 (aDO) 284-4588 511 Oeverly Sr TollohQ5.See, FL J2J01 (904) 222-5945 LAW OFFICES Florida Kural Legal Services, Inc. REPLY TO, Immokalee June 8, 1993 Henry Tribble Chairman, Black Affairs Advisory Board 980 Huron Court #403 Marco Island, FL 33937 Dear Mr. Tribble: You have inquired regarding case data from our office which indicates one way or the other whether there is an ongoing problem with racial discrimination in Collier County. As a general observation, let me say that my own subjective perception is that of course there is a such a problem. Florida is still a Southern state, and especially in rural areas old attitudes die hard and in fact have not died. I personally encounter racial epithets frequently -- and I am white. They are not directed at me, of course, rather at non-whites, by whites who think I will naturally be sympathetic. But attitudes reflected by language are only a reflection of what really goes on: jobs are denied non-whites, jobs are lost by non-whites, housing is less available to non-whites, and it tends to cost more, sometimes a lot more, than for whites. I see on ave!2ge one new employment di:;criminaticn case a ,veek, which is not a lot, except that we do no outreach in this subject area, and I estimate that the number of cases that actually occur is a large multiple of what we see. That is because many workers are afraid of retaliation if they bring a complaint against an employer, even a former employer. Threats of blacklisting are not unknown in this area. Another reason we feel confident in our assertion that in farm work, which of course is widespread in the county, one person can practice discrimination against a large number of people at the same time, for example, when a crew leader refuses to hire workers of a certain ethnicity. This in fact occurs on a regular basis, and it is just as common for us to hear about it , through only one victim. And, sadly, it is also just as common for that person' to be unable to persuade his or her co-workers to come forward and complain. There are other areas of racial discrimination which we are involved in. We have had a substantial number of cases in the last couple of years involving discipline of students, which the numbers tend to suggest impacts more frequently on non-whites, and with heavier punishments. We are not prepared to conclude at this time that it is a systemic problem, but we believe that individual teachers and administrators have problems with race. It is common for such persons to deny this, and they may believe their assertions in good faith, yet the reality is pretty unavoidable. I believe a county program which helped to educate the public about the subtleties of discrimination would perform a valuable public service. There are other good reasons for having a county office to deal with discrimination. In my experience, both the state and federal offices which deal with discrimination, the Florida Commission on Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, have very heavy caseloads and simply are not able to give adequate attention to individual cases. Also, being familiar with local conditions, employers, housing vendors and vendors of public accomodations is very helpful in handling such cases, especially when complaints recur as to particular respondents on a regular basis..