By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The city of Bowling Green has volunteer boards that consider everything from bicycle safety and historic preservation to trees and zoning. Much of their work results in visible changes in the community.
But for one volunteer group appointed by the city, most of their work goes under the radar.
The Human Relations Commission is charged with promoting equality for and understanding among all people of the community and provides mediation through conferences and conciliation.
As part of these efforts, Bowling Green has taken a proactive stance on enacting laws that protect against discrimination as well as passing resolutions condemning violence, hate speech and proclaiming the community as safe and welcoming for all.
Due to the nature of the issues tackled by the HRC, much of the work is behind the scenes. So that has members a little concerned that people who need their help may not know they exist.
“I feel that a lot of people don’t know about us,” said HRC President Lindsay Jo Durham. “We really want the community to know there is someone to turn to if they feel discriminated against.”
The group wants to get the word out, “so people who need us know we are here,” HRC member Chris Douglas said.
The commission shows the city’s commitment to inclusion, according to HRC member Joe Jacoby.
“I think it’s important the city have a community extension of government that is sensitive to issues of justice and inclusion – that they have some place to go, someone to talk to,” Jacoby said during a recent meeting of the organization.
The concerns may involve the needs of various ages, races, gender identities, ethnic or religious groups.
“We can bring those concerns to the attention of the city,” Jacoby said. Often that leads to responses to problems before they reach the level of law enforcement getting involved.
“We want to let the public know that the city has such an institution,” he added.
The HRC has taken a role in such efforts as responding to the confederate flags appearing at the Wood County Fair. The commission joined with Not In Our Town BG to let the fair board know “that’s not what the town stands for.”
“We want to be a voice for the disenfranchised,” Douglas said.
At the same time, the commission can help repair relations between local government and residents, Douglas said.
“A lot of people have disdain for government,” he said. “We can show local government cares about the town.”
Sometimes the commission gets involved to smooth out problems rooted in misunderstandings, such as perceived bias in the registration process for a community event. And sometimes, the commission points out actual – but unintended – insensitivity to certain populations.
“We do outreach when there’s something not intentionally harmful – but is perceived that way,” said HRC member Ana Brown.
The commission also gets involved with housing issues, such as when a tenant doesn’t know where to go when repairs aren’t being made at their rental homes, said HRC member and City Housing Specialist Matt Snow.
The group works to find solutions by mediating with landlords and tenants.
The organization also helps with human relations in the community by providing small grants to organizations and events, such as LaConexion, BRAVE, BGOPride, the Rainbow Rally, Juneteenth, and the Cherry Blossom Festival.
The HRC also organizes the annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., held at the Wood County District Public Library, and other community events that promote positive human relations, said HRC member Robin Small.
Jacoby pointed out that the city’s commitment to the HRC can be seen in its appointment of two city employees to the board – Snow and BG Police Lt. Adam Skaff. Skaff said the “collective wisdom” of those on the commission often results in solutions.
The HRC members include local residents representing people who are Jewish, Black, Asian, and those with connections to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Not in Our Town BG, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green High School, BG Police Division, mental health services, senior citizens, and domestic violence services.
Bowling Green City Council member Bill Herald is also a regular attendee at the monthly meetings.
“It’s an important commission,” Herald said. “It’s part of the consciousness of our local government.”
Anyone with concerns for the Human Relations Commission may submit them at HRC@bgohio.org, submit them anonymously at “report a concern” on the city’s website, or attend the organization’s meetings on the first Friday of each month, at 8 a.m., in the city building.
