The Abington Citizens Network
where Abington, PA residents can share ideas and join forces to build a better community
 

                 
            Non-Discrimination Ordinance

 2-1-11   

On January 13 the Township turned down an opportunity to pass an ordinance that prohibited discrimination in access to employment, housing and commercial property, public education, and public accommodations'. Sexual orientation and gender identity or expression  were to be specifically  added in a local ordinance because of the omission of this verbiage in state law. The ordinance also would provide for the establishment of a municipal human relations commission to handle complaints based on this ordinance. 
      Some suggested that our "No Place for Hate" committee already handles these issues, and some suggested that there was not correct language to deal with exemptions by religious organizations or others who have special exceptions by state or federal law.
       There was much testimony in favor of the ordinance and some testimony against it.  And there was, as nearly always in Abington meetings, interference with residents' normal rights to speak and normal rights to call for questions of the process.  Inexcusable. But despite a lawsuit pending for this kind of behavior,  Board President DiJoseph continues in this manner, which appears to be in complete violation of the rules that govern these meetings.
       Apparently there is another twist in this adventure. Commissioner DiJoseph, Chief Kelly and representatives from No Place for Hate committee - all of whom opposed the ordinance - rewrote it without the knowledge or input of other board members who would have wanted to be included . One Commissioner says he is " very concerned about the manner in which it was produced".  That  same Commissioner has been unsupportive when the same type of activity occurred to others - and especially when residents complain of this kind of behavior. .  It is indeed reflective of what  we have been trying to change .  

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