Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Debated, No Action Taken

The discussion of a proposed anti-discrimination ordinance continued Tuesday night in Jonesboro as proponents of the ordinance pushed for its passage. Meanwhile, work on a $2.4 million upgrade to Craighead Forest Park is moving ahead as planned.

During the public comment part of the meeting, the Jonesboro City Council heard from four people who support changing the city’s personnel handbook to include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.

The proposal was previously brought up at the council’s April 7 meeting, but failed due to a lack of a second.

Joseph Rukus, the faculty advisor for the Arkansas State University Gay/Straight Alliance, asked the council to change its mind.

“We ask that you show us (that) we’re worth public debate and value our contributions to the community,” Rukus told council members.

Local minister Norman Stafford brought up at the beginning of the meeting when people stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Stafford mentioned a quote in the pledge that mentions, “Liberty and Justice for All” by saying he believed justice was not being served.

Gary Latanich, a retired business professor at ASU, spoke about the economics of the issue, while Rev. Dr. Chris Jones of the 1st Presbyterian Church in Jonesboro, asked council members to put the ordinance in writing.

No one spoke against the ordinance at the meeting. Typically, the public comment period is limited to three speakers at five minutes each.

None of the council members spoke during the presentation.

However, after the meeting, Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin said the city does not discriminate against anyone.

Perrin said the city abides by both federal and state civil rights law and that attorneys have said Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides protections on the issue. The law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.

Perrin also said officials are awaiting rulings on several federal and state court cases on the issue. There are court cases involving same sex marriage working through their way through the U.S. Supreme Court, Arkansas Supreme Court and the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in Omaha, Neb.

Officials also reiterated an April 21 statement made by Perrin on the issue.

The statement reads in full:

“This administration has reviewed this issue. We appreciate the citizens of Jonesboro, who have come to the council meetings and expressed their views. I can tell you at this time, the administration of the City of Jonesboro does not allow discrimination in its daily operations against any of its employees. Our employee handbook is very clear on this. The city of Jonesboro is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The federal government requires it, and we require it. Our handbook states, ‘It is the continuing policy of the city of Jonesboro to ensure equal employment opportunity in all personnel actions taken.’

“As for adding any other explicitly defined protected classes, the administration does not feel it is necessary at this time. Let me be very clear. We are following and will continue to follow all federal and state laws in our hiring, promotion and employment practices. If any changes to our Employee Handbook are necessary, they will be made at the appropriate time, based on our recommendations and with the approval of the council,” Perrin said.

CRAIGHEAD FOREST PARK
There was also an update Tuesday night on a plan to build a series of walking and running tracks at Craighead Forest Park.

City Parks Director Wixson Huffstetler said the 3.2 mile project will provide enough room for a 5K track for runners and bikers.

The park in southwest Jonesboro is operated by the city, has a lake and areas to walk. Huffstetler said the city received a grant from the Blue Cross/Blue Shield “Blue and You” program to install four pieces of exercise equipment at four different sites around the park.

As for funding, the city has about $800,000 left over from similar projects and officials are working to apply for a $625,000 grant for the project, Huffstetler said.

In other action, council members, approved a plan to apply for a $250,000 grant from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. If approved, the money will be used to overlay Caraway Road, from Highland Drive to Phillips Drive.