Blacks and Latinos deserve to be Heard

by: Bill Liblick

Often elected and governmental officials listen to the concerns of a group of constituents once they have organized. It has been said that with strength there is power.

Most political observers will acknowledge that although there is an increasingly growing minority population in Sullivan County, it is very difficult for members of those communities to be elected within our county.

People like Town of Thompson Supervisor Tony Cellini have always recognized that minorities must be heard. He has continually seen to it that Blacks and Latinos seek elective office. Cellini points to Deputy County Clerk Moniquka Diaz-Corley who is on his town board.

Not all politicians share Cellini’s viewpoint. Village of Monticello Trustee Gordon Jenkins was forced to leave the Democratic Party fold and turn to the Republicans when he felt resistance from the Democratic leadership because he wanted to seek an elective position.

Although Jenkins might agree with the Democratic Party platform on a national level, he strongly believes that locally it is the Republicans who will work with him and his community.

Strongly recognizing that the needs of the Black and Latino community were not being addressed by the Democratic Party leadership and elected and governmental officials in Sullivan County, a decision was made by minority Democrats that something had to be done about it.

People like Sandra Oxford, Thelma McIver Long, and Eric Monroe organized the Black and Latino Democratic Committee of Sullivan County. Their goal was not to oppose the Democratic County organization which is led by Timothy Hill, but to work with them, making certain that their needs are being addressed and are inclusive in Democratic Party politics and policies.

Hill listened, and has seen to it that the Black and Latino Democratic Committee are recognized by the Sullivan County Democratic County Committee.

The first mission of the Black and Latino Democratic Committee was to see that changes were made to the Sullivan County Affirmative Action Plan which was outdated. They set up meetings with members of the Sullivan County Legislature, including people like Elwin Wood who heads the Legislature’s Personnel Committee, and pointed out the flaws in hiring practices.

I am pleased to say the all members of the legislature Democrats and Republicans listened and recognized that changes must be made.

A committee was formed to review the entire outdated plan, and modifications were written. A public hearing will now be held on the new plan.

I have personally reviewed copies of both the old and new plan, and I can say it is a step in the right direction for all of us in Sullivan County.

All aspects of the old Affirmative Action Plan were updated and language was expanded to better encompass more or previously-excluded disenfranchised groups or individuals.

Language to include the ability of the County to amend the plan was included, with specific regard to the workforce analysis. There were specific comments as to how each department will continue to work towards equal employment opportunity and representation of the entire workforce in Sullivan County.

There is also discussion on how the County will seek to provide training, including taking Civil Service examinations.

The revised Sullivan County Affirmative Action Plan also has extended language with regard to the status of Veterans, and those with disabilities.

All this is great, but we equally must be certain that hiring practices are primarily based on qualifications, while inclusive of everyone. Having a proactive affirmative action plan in place will go a long way towards that goal.

Recognizing that need, upon taking office, County Clerk Neil Gilberg immediately appointed two minorities not based on ethnicity or color, but on their experience and credentials. He appointed Moniquka Diaz-Corley as his Deputy and Angel Lamboy as head of Motor Vehicles.

The Black and Latino Democratic Committee must be singled out for their hard work in seeing to it that we have an updated fair affirmative action plan. Equally, all the members of the legislature must be applauded for initiating the change.

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