City Council Votes on Rights Commission, Road Problems

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Updated: 9:54 AM Feb 7, 2012 City Council Votes on Rights Commission, Road Problems Monday night, Charlottesville City Council voted in favor of establishing a human rights commission and finding low-cost measures to solve traffic problems at Michie Drive and Hydraulic Road. Posted: 10:21 PM Feb 6, 2012 Email Address: news@newsplex.com

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February 6, 2012

Charlottesville City Council voted in favor of establishing an 11-member human rights commission, an idea originally brought forth by the Government Policy Action Team of the Dialogue on Race.

Councilors voted Monday night to create the commission on a 10-month interim basis. The commission will help with receiving and investigating complaints of discrimination, as well as help with resolving complaints.

One citizen in attendance, however, argued the task force is an unnecessary delay because she believes there's already evidence of discrimination in the community.

"It's very easy to study a study over and over again. I feel like there is discrimination. There's a lot of documentation about discrimination," said Gloria Rockhold, a member of the Dialogue on Race Committee.

The council has looked at other commissions across the Commonwealth to get an idea of how other cities and counties operate. A commission in Charlottesville could cost around $300,000.

Also Monday, City Council approved some low-cost measures to help solve traffic problems at the intersection of Michie Drive and Hydraulic Road.

Councilors commissioned two studies to come up with solutions to the traffic problems, according to a report from Charlottesville Tomorrow. Those studies will be in addition to the council's recommendation to paint markings on the street.

Latest Comments

Posted by: coworker Location: Charlottesville on Feb 7, 2012 at 08:13 PM

I have to work with a minority woman with a terrible attitude. The owner says he is afriad to fire her because she is an active member of the NAACP and it will come back to haunt him. Can he complain to this group about her saying all the customers and vendors are racists because they prefer dealing with me instead of her? (even the minorities) We have had two people leave because of her. One of them told me he wasn't racist when he started but she made him look at one race differently after working with her. and we want to give her MORE protections?

Posted by: Wilbur Location: C-ville on Feb 7, 2012 at 03:48 PM

My only question is what is this commission going to actually "do". Not talk about, not suggest, not hypothesize, but actually "do". We know they will actually spend money.

Posted by: Gru on Feb 7, 2012 at 01:57 PM

AGREED! They've gotten so crazy with it, they've gone over-board in the OTHER direction now!

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