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HAAB Minutes 08/23/2001 Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Minutes August 23,2001 HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF MEETING of August 23, 2001 PRESENT: ABSENT: Sofia Pagan, HAAB Member Elvin Santiago, HAAB Member David Correa, HAAB Member Yolanda Cisneros, HAAB Member Susan Calkins, HAAB Member Eugene Greener, HAAB Member Frank Loney, HAAB Member Robert Pina, HAAB Member Ramiro Mafialich, Chief Assistant County Attorney and HAAB Staff Liaison Also Present: Victor Valdes, Editor, Las Naciones News Anna Rodriguez, Citizen Carlos A viles, Citizen/Candidate Terrie Aviles, Immokalee Civic Assn/Guad. Soc. Ser. John Norman, Representative Rafael Arza The Collier County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board (HAAB) meeting began at approximately 7:18 p.m. Liaison Ramiro Mafialich explained that the minutes for July, 2001 had not been finished in time for approval at this meeting. Ramiro stated that the minutes for July and August would be available at the September meeting for approval. A quorum of 5 members was present. EXCUSAL OF ABSENCES It was the consensus of the group that absences should be excused if the absentee contacted the liaison prior to the meeting. It was requested that the liaison's office contact members to remind them before the meeting of the meeting date. Mr. Greener's absence for July was excused. The reason is that he had announced that he would be gone on a pre-arranged vacation plan prior to being appointed to the HAAB. It was reported that Elvin Santiago is no longer in Collier County and is living on the east coast of Florida and that his position should now be considered vacant on the HAAB. -..--. -._-_..__.__..__...__._-~.~~~-_. REVIEW OF APPLICANTS FOR HAAB MEMBERSHIP David Correa introduced Carlos A viles as a deputy from the Sheriff's Department who is interested in becoming a member of the HAAB. David remarked that "he looks like an excellent candidate." Mr. Pina asked how Mr. Aviles would handle potential conflicts in regard to law enforcement issues that came before the HAAB. Mr. Aviles states that his duty is to the law being upheld. He said that he would abide with any and all conflict rules. He said he wanted to help Hispanics in Collier County and that he had long served on road patrol and knew former member Pete Cade. Mr. Valdes, Editor, Las Naciones News, commented that Mr. Aviles was a good prospect but that he needed to remember that on the HAAB he represents the Hispanic community and not the Sheriff's Office. Liaison Ramiro Mafialich briefly explained the State Conflict of Interest Rules in Chapter 112, F.S. as well as the appearance of Conflict Rules under Chapter 286,F.S. Frank Loney made a motion to recommend both Mr. A viles and Pete Cade (former member of the HAAB who had also applied to rejoin the HAAB) for membership on the HAAB. Mr. Pina made a second to the motion. There was a unanimous vote in favor of the motion. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION DISCUSSION David Correa summarized the history of Human Relations Commission (HRC) proposals before the Collier County Commission. He mentioned that the recent County Commission approval of the HRC concept left questions about the status of the HAAB and Black Affairs Advisory Board (BAAB). David stated that he spoke before the County Commission against dissolution of the minority boards. The Commissioners told him at the meeting that there would be no dissolution of the minority boards at this time but that it would be considered in the future, depending on the nature of the HRC that is eventually created. Frank Loney commented that there should be no dissolution of the HAAB or the BAAB. He said there was a need to keep those voices of the minority communities active. He said that the HAAB is the only voice for Hispanics in Collier County. The HAAB, in his opinion, helps to identify the needs of the Hispanic community. On a related note, Frank mentioned that the HAAB should not get involved in the River Park shooting case. David Correa stated that he thought that the River Park matter was related to the creation of the HRC. It was the consensus of the HAAB members present not to view the tape of the HRC discussion held before the County Commission. Mr. Valdes commented that a group of citizens had been working on the HRC project separate from the police review board concept which had come up as a result of the River Park case. He said that that case is awaiting federal action. Frank Loney stated that he agreed that the HRC should not deal with law enforcement issues. Terri Aviles stated that she represents the Immokalee Civic Association. She invited the HAAB to attend meetings in Immokalee. She also mentioned that she serves on the Weed and Seed Committee and on the Latinos Unidos of Immokalee. She said that all of these organizations can assist those interested in serving the Hispanic community. 2 - -.....-.-- ,-~.- ,-,. <-_.,~--_."'-" ~_.._.~--_...-^"_." "~"~ --.... FARMWORKER ISSUES DISCUSSION Frank Loney stated that he supports calling for dialog between the Immokalee farmworkers and the growers. Liaison Ramiro Mafialich and Chairman Correa reviewed the history of this item with regard to involvement, or lack thereof, by County Government. Frank Loney urged that there should be an agenda item created and presented to the County Commission about this topic as opposed to meetings with individual commissioners. David Correa suggested approaching the commissioners individually prior to appearing at the public meeting of the County Commission. Mr. Pina mentioned that the County Commission had previously stated that this was a labor dispute. Susan Calkins said that there was a need to point out that this was more than just a labor dispute and in fact was a dispute affecting the Immokalee Hispanic community. Terrie Aviles commented that some growers had increased pay but that the growers affiliated with the company, 6 L's, had not increased pay. She asked what impact was the Hispanic Board seeking and what could the County Commission do if the Governor and others were not acting? She mentioned that Commissioner Colletta had attended Immokalee Civic Association meetings where he has focused on economic development in Immokalee. Frank Loney stated that allowing this situation to continue without dialog would harm Immokalee. Mr. Pina questioned whether it may be necessary to approach the Federal Government with this topic as well as the State Senators. Terrie Aviles urged coordination between this topic and the voter registration efforts for Hispanics. Anna Rodriguez stated that she agreed with David Correa that the commissioners should be approached individually first and she emphasized that there is a need to have data as to economic impacts of this issue in Immokalee. She said that she knew this from her prior experience as HAAB Chairperson. She also mentioned that a lot of registered Hispanic voters are shown as Caucasian or Black in data which is kept by government agencies. Frank Loney agreed that based on his own mixed heritage he has experienced first hand the difficulty of registering Hispanics by racial or national categories. David Correa reemphasized that he preferred to reach out to individual commissioners before scheduling the farmworker discussion before the County Commission. A discussion was held among the members about different possible approaches. Mr. Aviles suggested putting some type of proposal as well as problems and solutions in writing. He stated that with reelection coming up for different commissioners, that they should be held accountable for what they have done or not done for the Hispanic community. Robert Pina made a motion to have the Chairman confer with each commissioner about this topic and the Chair report back at the September HAAB meeting. This was seconded by Susan Calkins. A 4-1 vote in favor occurred which caused the motion to fail because under HAAB ordinance requirements, a motion requires an affirmative vote of 5 to pass. Susan Calkins then made a motion for a presentation to the County Commission provided that the Chairman met with each individual commissioner prior to the County Commission meeting. After further discussion, Mr. Pina made a second and there was a unanimous vote in favor of the motion. 3 ._~,~--_._._._.,. -..... .....--.-..- .. ~_.__._~--~---- REPORT BY MR. VALDEZ ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS FORUM Mr. Valdez provided a series of handouts on this topic. Copies are attached. Mr. Valdez mentioned that he had dedicated his life and many resources to the Hispanic community. He mentioned that he had just hosted the Second Civil Rights Forum. He mentioned that representatives of the Sheriff's Department as well as the Naples Police Department had been in attendance as well as Councilwoman Penny Taylor and Mayor Bonnie McKenzie. The forum lasted for 2 days. He said that as a result of the forum he discovered proof substantiating his prior allegations regarding the Sheriff's Department. Most importantly, he said that the Sheriff and the City and the panel agreed to work on a Citizens Review Board. He stated that there was a meeting scheduled for September II th to put together the Review Board. The Review Board's purpose is not to review the Harris shooting case. He mentioned that his forum had been scheduled 18 months before. It was a coincidence that 7 days before the scheduled forum the Harris grand jury reached a decision. The Harris case is now in federal hands. He mentioned that Susan Calkins is a member of the information panel. Susan described a productive 2 days of the Civil Rights Forum. She thought there had been lots of reconciliation between participants and a good feeling at the end. She said the Sheriff provided examples of other review boards and agreed to assist in the creation of this board. Mr. Valdez stated that he had not finished with his allegations which began 18 years ago against the Sheriff's Department. He said he will wait for federal cases to revolve and for the creation of the review board. He said that his mind has not changed but he is willing to work with law enforcement for the good of the community. Mr. Valdez also referred to the transcript of the Officer Sanders sentencing as verifying comments that Mr. Valdez had previously made about other Sheriff's deputies involved in Immokalee illegal activity. He promised that next year there would be another community forum. He thought that the Sheriff had lately been thinking better as evidenced by the review board creation. He said that the board would serve to put police on notice that their conduct would be reviewed by citizens in the community. He thanked the HAAB for the opportunity to make these comments. Mr. Correa mentioned that Mr. Valdez is always welcome before the HAAB. COMMENTS BY JOHN NORMAN Mr. Norman mentioned that 7 years ago a group he was employed by had a Spanish radio station. That group apparently purchased a radio s~ in Immokalee where the majority of the population is Hispanic. He said that he is now also irector of the Cinco de Mayo and serves on Immokalee civic groups. He said that he has been very involved in Immokalee and has met many good people. He stressed the importance of voting power in Immokalee. He said that next week Representative Garza was going to be in Immokalee. He encouraged members of the HAAB to talk to Garza, Senator Saunders and Representative Goodlette. He also asked for cooperation of the HAAB with the Immokalee radio station for telephone programming. He said that Immokalee is now growing to be a bigger area than Naples. The station is 1490 AM. He said that the station has great potential. He also mentioned that Immokalee Road is very bad for Hispanics driving to and from work in Naples. He emphasized the need to develop political power for Hispanics. He said the County is approaching 25% Hispanic but only 5% are registered to vote. He suggested picking out a weekly radio topic to be discussed. One of the things that could be done on the radio program is to educate Hispanics as to the value of voting. 4 .~.- -,~,-,-'--'--"'-"'._-,., - ..._-_._--~-_. - Mr. Norman mentioned that his office is across the hall from the Board of County Commissioners meeting room. It was the consensus of those present on the Board that the Chairman should explore radio program alternatives. MISCELLANEOUS Anna Rodriguez commented that the Hispanic community is growing very fast in Collier County and is approaching 70,000. She mentioned that there are several radio stations and newspapers that are now operating in Spanish. Mr. Pina inquired about whether there should be any HAAB position in regard to health care for the working poor. Liaison Ramiro Mafialich mentioned that that topic was coming before the County Commission for a budget workshop in the near future. It was decided that Sofia Pagan and Frank Loney would appear on radio programs on the Spanish station Immokalee on different occasions. The meeting of the HAAB adjourned at approximately 9:01 p.m. Prepared by: Ramiro Mafialich, Chief Assistant County Attorney and HAAB Staff Liaison Approved by the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board on this n day of >~ ' 200 1. ~-~ } ./ [" ~ David Correa, Chairman HlRM/HAAB/Minutes 5 .. .. -...-..---.-.-.----.'''.........,,---..-,. _n..__