Monday, September 7 will mark the 127th celebration of Labor Day in the United States. It’s history, according to Wikipedia, is rooted in the violent reaction to a late 19th century labor strike:
Unless your cave’s cable and internet connections failed, and the paper delivery driver got lost, you know the Assembly passed my latest version of the equal rights ordinance by a 7-4 vote. I know, I’m late telling you this, but I had a business trip in the middle of the week.
As an Assembly member I receive quite a few e-mails that may, or may not, be relevant to the job. One group that tends to fall into the latter category includes announcement of various city job openings. Those dropped off considerably after July 1, when Mayor Sullivan announced a hiring freeze during his inaugural speech.
This evening we’re back at Assembly chambers in a continuation of last week’s meeting. We spent the first couple hours finishing up “regular” business items before continuing the public hearing on the equal rights ordinance. One new twist is another draft version that makes some changes.
As we’ve discussed the issue of equal rights based on sexual orientation some opponents have expressed a concern that granting equal rights for housing, employment and education to gays and lesbians would infringe on their right to practice their faith. I’ve written about that matter before and thought the story below might offer a slightly different approach (cautionary note: this one is slightly off-color): (more…)
We’re now in the fourth of an expected five hours of public testimony on the ordinance that provide equal rights based on sexual orientation. For the most part things have been respectful, though not entirely, and there’s been a fair amount of crowd noise from the masses outside. If there’s a surprise twist it’s that a significant number of people appear to have driven in from the Mat-Su Valley to join in the debate (by invitation, it seems).
As those who follow the news are aware, there is now an organized campaign against the proposed ordinance that would grant equal rights to gay and lesbian residents of Anchorage. As I’ve stated before, I expect those with whom I disagree to do so based on their personal beliefs and I consider it inappropriate to belittle or condemn their points of view. Their concerns do deserve answers, however, so here’s a start:
Thanks to everyone who took the time to play a round of Assembly Insider Baseball! I really enjoyed the responses, both from those who made their best guesses and those who simply liked the trivia while awaiting the answers. Perhaps my favorite line came from a local media figure who actually covers the Assembly from time to time: (more…)
It’s time to play the first, but likely not last, edition of “Assembly insider baseball” – your chance to test your knowledge of the little details that may, or may not, have any bearing on municipal governance. This quiz is a simple one, simply match the factoid with the member! (more…)
At the next Assembly meeting (May 12) an ordinance will be introduced that would bar discrimination based upon sexual orientation or veteran’s status. This change, which is consistent with Anchorage’s long history of social justice, would prevent:
“discrimination in the sale or rental of real property, financing practices, employment practices, public accommodations, educational institutions, and practices of the municipality, based upon…sexual orientation or veteran’s status.”
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