North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights |
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~North Dakota Human Rights Coalition~ PAUR Report
Programs ~ Announcements ~ Updates ~ Resources
Visit our Website at www.ndhrc.org
December 22, 2004
Hello members and friends of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition!
In this week’s PAUR Report:
Announcements 1) NDHRC Thanks Our 2004 Members 2) Help Support the NDHRC with Your 2005 Membership 3) North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Service Opportunity 4) NDHRC Web Site Calendar of Events 5) Community Photographs Needed for MLK Day Celebration 6) Press Release: Family Voices of North Dakota received funding to develop and implement an information and referral network for parents of children with special health care needs 7) Status of Women in North Dakota Report 8) Governor Hoeven Creates Interagency Council on Homelessness 9) CORRECTION: New Native American Radio Program in Fargo 10) Northwest Area Foundation Great Strides Award 11) Press Release: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Appoints Twelve to Its North Dakota Advisory Committee
Newspaper Articles 12) NDHRC Response to Passage of Measure 1 13) The Forum (Fargo), Homelessness on rise in Fargo-Moorhead 14) Bismarck Tribune, Tribal, state officials mull water rights measure 15) Grand Forks Herald, Turtle Mountain Reservation: Tribe looks to take care of business 16) Bismarck Tribune, State rated on women’s issues 17) The Forum (Fargo), N.D. 4th in women’s well-being 18) The Associated Press, Enforcement of Civil Rights Law Declined Since ’99, Study Finds 19) The Forum (Fargo), Other views: City has a responsibility to ensure safe sidewalks 20) Bismarck Tribune, Task force presents plan 21) The Forum (Fargo), Other views: It’s just bad business to violate ADA 22) The Associated Press, Supreme Court reviews retired federal judge’s guardianship case 23) The Forum (Fargo), Postal officials testify
Events 24) Clean Water Action Lobby Day, January 24, 2005, Bismarck
Reminders 25) White Ribbon Campaign at NDSU 26) Nominations Sought for Fargo Human Relations Awards 27) Protection & Advocacy Project: Review, Revise, & Expand North Dakota’s Individual Justice Plan (IJP) Manual 28) 2005 Legislative Update: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services 29) Press Release: ND Workforce Development Council – State Commission on National & Community Service Announcing Competition for AmeriCorps National & State Proposals 30) Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellowship Grants 2005 31) Nominations for Social Justice Leaders Sought for Leadership for a Changing World Program 32) Sisters of the Presentation at Sacred Heart Convent, “2004 – 2005 Presentation Peace Studies Forum,” Fargo, ND
Please Note: The NDHRC distributes a weekly PAUR report to inform our members and friends about news, events, and other human rights related information around the state. The opinions expressed within the articles are those of the authors and are not endorsed by the NDHRC.
New NDHRC members: as a membership benefit you have received an e-mail subscription of our weekly e-mail newsletter, the NDHRC PAUR Report. If you would like to be removed from the PAUR Report mailing list, please send an email to humanrights@ndhrc.org.
********************************************* Announcements *********************************************
1.) NDHRC Thanks Our 2004 Members
Your support of our activities has been significant as we work to effect changes so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights. We appreciate your support and look forward to working with you toward the furtherance of human rights in North Dakota.
Thanks to the following 2004 NDHRC organizational members: American Association of University Women – Fargo * AARP of North Dakota * Bismarck-Mandan Unitarian Universalist Church * Bremer Bank * Cultural Diversity Resources * Dakota Center for Independent Living * Dakota Resource Council * Dorothy Day House * Fargo Human Relations Commission * Fargo-Moorhead Amnesty International * Freedom Resource Center * Grand Forks Unitarian Universalist Fellowship * Mental Health Association of North Dakota * Montana Human Rights Network * MSUM Social Work Department * Nativity Social Justice Ministry * North Dakota Association of the Deaf * North Dakota Disability Advocacy Consortium * North Dakota Fair Housing Council * North Dakota Progressive Coalition * North Dakota Statewide Independent Living Council * Pride Collective LGBT Community Center * Sisters of the Presentation - Sacred Heart Convent * Student Social Work Organization, Minot State University * The Arc of Cass County * The GOD'S CHILD Project North Central
Thanks to the following 2004 NDHRC individual members: Cheryl Bergian * Corey Blair * Jacques Boucher * Lisa A. Brown * Michael Brown Jr. * Scott Burlingame * Carlie Carow * Janis Cheney * Mike Coates and Linda Boyd Coates * Dean Conrad * Debra Crosby Pullen * Diana Deats O’Reilly * Debra J. DeWitz * Martha and Carlo DiCicco * Alex Doolittle * Gini Duval * Mary and Jim Engel * Gerry Even * Tom Fiebiger * Eric Garber and Lynn Rust * Diane and Jeff Gerst * Lindsey Guderjahn * Allan W. Hankel * Susan Rae Helgeland * Jill Herreid * Sandra Holbrook * Margine and F.D. Holland Jr. * Thomas and Roxie Lynn Howard * Ron and Melissa Hutchison * Lola Huwe * Julie Huwe * Ella Huwe * Ruth Kihm * Barb and Jim Lennington * Kristi K. Loberg * Rhonda Loberg * Lewis Lubka * Raul Luna * Dan Mahli * Janell Malper * Charlotte McLaughlin and James Conley * Stephen and Janet Merrill * John Carolyn Monzingo * Sylvia Morgan * Lionel P.A. Muthiah * Barry and Susan Nelson * Kjersten Nelson and Ryan Nagle * Marcia Paulson * Sherri and Vickie Paxon * Allan Peterson * Larry Peterson and Mary Struck * Simone D. Poitras * Carol A. Reed * Thomas and Audrey Richmond * Laura Rovner * Helen Rudie * Daniel Schechter * Mark and Mary Joe Schneider * David Shove * Ruth Stensaker * Kevin R. Tengesdal * David Thompson * Andrea Warren-Deegan * Susan and Dave Wee * Bill Willis * Regina Windham * Lonny Winrich * Nelrene Yellow Bird * Diane Zainhofsky
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2.) Support the NDHRC and Become a Member in 2005
Human rights abuses occur every day in our state. We learn about them in the media, hear about them from friends and relatives, or experience them in our own lives. Only together can we rid our state of discrimination and make North Dakota an inclusive place for all people.
we need your membership support to effect this change.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” - American anthropologist Margaret Meade
With the support of our members in 2004, we improved human rights awareness in North Dakota. Our major accomplishments in 2004 included:
*Serving as plaintiff in a class action law suit challenging the Commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Labor’s policy of failing and refusing to perform his mandatory, nondiscretionary duties under the North Dakota Human Rights Act
*Providing comments to the proposed administrative rules for the Division of Human Rights in the North Dakota Department of Labor (some of those comments will be made into law)
*Assisting the creation of the Northwest Human Rights Alliance in Williston
*Hiring an intern to interview people who have experienced discrimination in North Dakota, including those in the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender community, people of color, and people with disabilities to document those experiences
*Advocating against a proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage
*Hosting a human rights conference in Bismarck with 80 attendees, and $2,600 in sponsorships from organizations and businesses
The Coalition’s membership goal for 2005 is to reach 200 members and membership proceeds of $10,500. We need the following number of members at the various membership levels to meet our goal:
60 - $25 Individual members 100 - $50 Defender of human rights members 20 - $100 Patron members 20 - $100 Non-profit organization members
 
       
Your membership renewal is very important to us. This year the NDHRC will make sure human rights are front and center at our state legislative session. The more members we have, the stronger our voice will be. We would appreciate your membership renewal before the start of the legislative session in January 2005.
Thank You For Your Support Of The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition and We Look Forward To Having You As A Member In 2005!
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3.) North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Service Opportunity
Please forward freely.
The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition is looking for people to join the NDHRC Board of Directors. The NDHRC Board sets the policy direction of the NDHRC, including the goals and initiatives of the NDHRC. The NDHRC Board is supported in its work by the Director and Assistant Director. Information about the NDHRC is available at www.ndhrc.org.
The NDHRC is committed to the development of a Board of Directors which includes representation from across the state and from those most likely to experience discrimination, including people of color, people of diverse ethnic origin, people with disabilities, people of varying age, people of diverse religions, those who have been or are on public assistance, and people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. The NDHRC encourages all who are interested in the Board of Directors to apply; consideration for selection will include the commitment to diversity in membership on the Board of Directors.
The NDHRC Board of Directors encourages all who are interested to join them in continuing to chart the course for the NDHRC. Please consider joining us in the development of a human rights network and cadre in North Dakota!
Time commitment:
Two-hour board meetings every other month by conference call
One-day in-person board retreat each year (travel to this meeting may be necessary & travel costs would be covered)
Participation in board committee(s) by telephone conference call (time commitment and duration of commitment would vary by committee)
Respond to e-mail communication from Director or Assistant Director as possible
Interested?
Return the "Application for NDHRC Board" to:
Cheryl Bergian Director North Dakota Human Rights Coalition P.O. Box 1961 Fargo, ND 58107-1961 (701) 239-9323 (701) 478-4452 (fax)
Deadline for consideration of application: Friday, January 14, 2004
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4.) NDHRC Web Site Calendar of Events
Visit our web site calendar for information on monthly statewide human rights related activities and events. We welcome your input and comments.
Please send us your news and events for the calendar to humanrights@ndhrc.org.
View the current calendar
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5.) Community Photographs Needed for MLK Day Celebration
The Martin Luther King Day planning committee is putting together a picture collage of local images that will be presented at this year’s MLK Day event, with a speech of Dr. King’s as the audio background. The committee is looking for with pictures that reflect the diversity in our community. If you have photographs that should be included in such a presentation (or know of anyone that does), please send them to the following address:
Dan Mahli City of Fargo, Planning Dept 200 N 3 St Fargo, ND 58102
Please feel free to forward. If you send actual photographs, include a return address.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration is on Monday, January 17 at the Fargo Theatre in Fargo.
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6.) Press Release: Family Voices of North Dakota received funding to develop and implement an information and referral network for parents of children with special health care needs
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced $31 million in grants to 31 states to help families of children with special needs and people with disabilities or long-term illnesses live in their homes and participate fully in community life.
Family Voices of North Dakota received funding to develop and implement an information and referral network for parents of children with special health care needs. Family Voices of North Dakota Health Information and Education Center is where you can find answers for children and youth with special health care needs! Because...
*Families need information to make good decisions for their children
*Families must know how to survive in our changing health care environment; and
*Families can learn best from other families who have "been there.."
Family Voices of ND features: Toll-free number, newsletters, links to other organizations, training and workshops, resources and information and much more......
Run by and for families, the Center will:
Assist families and providers as they navigate public and private health systems in the state and communities;
Help families and providers understand options for health insurance;
Educate families and providers about ways to make good choices of health providers and resources;
Listen to families as they describe their encounters with systems and help guide them to possible solutions.
Work with families, providers, public and private agencies and advocacy or support groups to promote family-centered care and medical homes for all children with special health care needs. Act as a link among families, providers, managed care programs and government to better serve the health care and related needs of children and families in ND.
Work with government agencies to gather and share information, monitor health care and identify ways to improve public and private health.
Family Voices of North Dakota can assist families and professionals by contacting them at PO Box 163, Edgeley, ND 58433, calling 888-522-9654, feist@daktel.com or locate them on the web at www.geocities.com/ndfv/ Director Donene Feist
The grants are a part of President Bush's "New Freedom Initiative," which promotes the goal of community living for individuals with disabilities and long-term illnesses. Under this initiative, which began in 2001, 10 federal agencies work with states and community organizations to remove barriers to community living.
"We are committed to removing the barriers preventing the 54 million Americans living with disabilities from leading full lives. These grants will help those living with disabilities make their own choices on what services they get, who provides those services and how and where to live," said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mark B. McClellan.
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7. Status of Women in North Dakota Report
Below is information provided at the November 16, 2004 press conference on the release of the Status of Women in North Dakota Report. Of the key indicators for women, North Dakota's letter grades were as follows:
Political Participation: C Employment and Earnings: C Social and Economic Autonomy Index: D+ Reproductive Rights: F Health and Well-Being: A-
Native American women/status scored at the bottom in several areas even in comparison to the states in this region.
The full Report is available in PDF format at: http://www.iwpr.org/States2004/PDFs/NorthDakota.pdf.
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8. Governor Hoeven Creates Interagency Council on Homelessness
North Dakota Governor John Hoeven signed Executive Order 2004-09 creating the Governor's Interagency Council on Homelessness. North Dakota is one of 50 states and territories that have taken steps to establish State Interagency Councils on Homelessness.
The Executive Order, recognizing the need for collaboration among state agencies and expanded access to mainstream programs for homeless people, stated: "President Bush has established a United States Interagency Council on Homelessness to work to develop and implement a comprehensive national approach to end chronic homelessness sin the United States." The new Council will have duties ranging from coordination of state policy to identification of effective collaborative strategies and best practices, as well as recommendations to state agencies on effective distribution of resources.
Council membership will include representatives of the Governor's office, Directors of ND Departments of Human Services, Corrections, Job Services, Community Services, and Public Instruction; Mayors of Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks; Indian Affairs Commission; and ND Housing Finance Agency.
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9.) CORRECTION: New Native American Radio Program in Fargo
In the December 6th PAUR report the show time was listed as 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The correct time is 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you're in the Fargo area on Sundays, tune in to 105.9 FM LP Radio Free Fargo, from 2 PM to 5 PM to listen to a Native American show featuring music, discussion, humor, and stories. The name of the show is Wiconi Waste (weechohnee washtay), English translation is “The Good Life.” The first hour has guests and commentary. Music includes traditional powwow and spiritual to contemporary Native artists and musicians. Co-hosts are Prairie Rose and We Cha Najin, both from Three Affiliated Tribes.
Contact
105.9 FM LP Radio Free Fargo at 701-231-6703, if you'd like to make a request. The program
is building a music library of Native music, contemporary to powwow. Any
donations for the collection are welcome. *********************************************
10.) Northwest Area Foundation Great Strides Award
The
Northwest Area Foundation is pleased to announce the Great Strides Award, an
exciting opportunity to recognize and celebrate communities working to reduce
poverty. The Foundation will select up to four communities from its eight-state
region: MN, IA, ND, SD, MT, ID, WA, and OR. At least two awards will go to
rural communities. Each award recipient will receive up to $100,000.
Communities will be selected for the award based on their innovative approaches
to poverty reduction, willingness to share their experiences with a broader
audience, and identified uses for the award funds to continue their poverty
reduction work. Please click
on the following web link to view the guidelines and complete the application
for the Great Strides Award
http://www.nwaforg.org/greatstrides/respond.cfm?e=1145&c=200104
To contact us, email us at llafontaine@nwaf.org or write to: Northwest Area Foundation, 60 Plato Boulevard East, St. Paul, MN, 55107
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11.) Press Release: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Appoints Twelve to Its North Dakota Advisory Committee
Cheryl Long Feather is a board member of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition.
For further information contact: John F. Dulles, Regional Director Rocky Mountain Regional Office U.S. Commission on Civil Rights 1700 Broadway, Suite 710 Denver, CO 80290 303-866-1040
Carole Barrett, Chair North Dakota Advisory Committee 701-355-8017
John F. Dulles, Rocky Mountain Regional Director of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, announced the appointment of 12 persons to the Commission’s North Dakota Advisory Committee for a term which expirees in 2006.
The Commission is an independent bipartisan federal agency which conducts research and advises the President and the Congress on issues pertaining to civil rights. The Commission appoints advisory committees in each state and the District of Columbia to assist in its investigative and factfinding functions.
The North Dakota Advisory Committee will be chaired by Carole A. Barret of Bismarck. Ms. Marrett is associate professor of American Indian studies at the University of Mary. Other members of the Committee are: Cheryl Ann Long Feather and John M. Olson of Bismarck; David A. Meier of Dickinson; Audrey J. Henderson-Nocho of Emerado; Crystal Dueker, Refugio “Pete” Padilla, Kristen S. Rohde, and Mark G. Schneider of Fargo; Dawn Marie Charging of Garrison; and Marc S. Bluestone and Carol Eve Good Bear of New Town.
Working in coordination with the Commission’s Rocky Mountain Regional Office in Denver, the North Dakota Advisory Committee will conduct civil rights reviews and investigations in the state and report its findings to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
********************************************* Newspaper Articles *********************************************
12.) NDHRC Response to Passage of Measure 1
Cheryl Bergian, Director of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition submitted the following letter to the editor on Measure 1.
RE: NDHRC Response to Passage of Measure 1
The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition opposed the proposed North Dakota constitutional amendment to prevent the recognition of marriage or civil unions for same-sex couples.
The NDHRC supports full civil rights for all residents of North Dakota, including gay/lesbian/transgender/bisexual residents of our state. Neither enshrining discrimination in our Constitution nor stripping families of basic protections serves our state’s best interest. The North Dakota Constitution should protect and ensure equal treatment for all people. It should not be used to single out a group of people for harmful and detrimental treatment. The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Board of Directors wishes to express its disappointment and sorrow that the voters in North Dakota chose to support this weakening of civil rights in our state.
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13.) The Forum (Fargo), Homelessness on rise in Fargo-Moorhead
Homelessness on rise in Fargo-Moorhead
William Hell is a 42-year-old divorced welder with an associate's degree. He moved to Moorhead more than five years ago.
And for the last month he's been homeless.
"It's not the way I was raised," he said. "I was raised to take care of myself and provide for the people you care about."
But Parkinson's disease and alcoholism have left him out of work.
He's staying at the Moorhead's Dorothy Day House shelter and works part time, caring for a woman's yard. He's on a list for an apartment, but the wait is several months.
"It's changed my perception of what's homelessness," Hell said.
He used to think of homeless people as bums living under a bridge, sleeping in a cardboard box. But according to survey results released Monday, most homeless people in Fargo-Moorhead are like Hell.
Two-thirds are men, with an average age of 42 in Fargo and 45 in Moorhead.
Homeless adults typically have high school degrees and many have attended college. Many work. Most suffer from a disability.
<snip>
View full article here
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14.) Bismarck Tribune, Tribal, state officials mull water rights measure
Tribal,
state officials mull water rights measure Bismarck Tribune – 11/18/2004
North
Dakota's state government should have a procedure for negotiating water rights
with the state's American Indian tribes, which have claims that predate
statehood, officials say. Frink said a
proposed bill has already been forwarded to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for
comment. It would give tribes the option of taking part in negotiations if they
chose, Frink said.
<snip>
View full article here
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15.) Grand Forks Herald, Turtle Mountain Reservation: Tribe looks to take care of business
Turtle
Mountain Indian Reservation: Tribe looks to take care of business Grand Forks Herald – 11/18/2004
BELCOURT, N.D. - Plenty of food, music, tours and gifts.
That's what business owners from Detroit got when they visited the Turtle Mountain reservation Wednesday. In return, they are considering developing partnerships with the tribe.
"These people are coming here not to create jobs, but to expand their businesses," said tribal councilman Les LaFountain.
The reservation has an unemployment rate of more than 60 percent, with nearly 10,000 people unemployed.
"We need jobs. They want business. We are trying to create a partnership where we can have both," LaFountain said.
The group of business owners, representatives from businesses, tribal council members and tribal program directors spent the day touring the community, from the business facilities that exist on the reservation to Turtle Mountain Community College. In break-out meetings, the visiting business representatives talked about what they do and what potential they see in Turtle Mountain.
Opportunity
Most were left with a favorable impression.
"I am impressed with the enthusiasm of everyone here, and the education level of members. There is a strong commitment to the tribal college and to creating opportunities here," said Andra Rush, of Rush Trucking in Michigan. "There are a lot of opportunities to raise the standard of living here, and to raise hope."
<snip>
View full article here
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16.) Bismarck Tribune, State rated on women’s issues
State rated on women's issues By Karen Herzog, Bismarck Tribune Bismarck Tribune – 11/17/2004
If North Dakota were to look at its report card from the Institute for Women's Policy Research, it would see grades ranging from A-minus for a composite health and well-being index, to an F in reproductive rights.
Besides that high and low, the state got a couple of "C"s -- in political participation and employment and earnings -- and a D-plus in the social and economic autonomy index.
The report was compiled from sources such as the census and federal agencies, and was funded by a number of national foundations and foundations dedicated to women's issues.
The report has holes, noted Bonnie Palecek, "perhaps most glaringly, issues of personal safety ... in particular domestic violence and sexual assault, have not been explored in this report," she said.
These are life and death issues, she said. Though North Dakota is a highly safe state, more than half of the state's homicides are related to domestic violence, she said.
Palecek, director of the Council on Abused Women's Services, unveiled the report Tuesday to representatives of number of women's organizations at Bismarck State College.
All states were profiled in groups from 1996 to 2004; North Dakota was in the final group of 11.
Palecek said she hopes the report will stimulate public debate on women's issues. Plans call for a series of forums on specific issues in 2005 to give each aspect of the report the attention it deserves, she said, with the result of created an "enhanced, enriched document."
<snip>
View full article here
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17.) The Forum (Fargo), N.D. 4th in women’s well-being
N.D. 4th in women's well-being
BISMARCK -- North Dakota women have the fourth-best health and well-being among all states, but their economic and political status is much worse, a national study released Tuesday says.
The Institute for Women's Policy Research of Washington, D.C., gave North Dakota an A-minus in its women's health and well-being index, citing the state's low incidence of disease including cancer and AIDS, mental health problems and suicide.
The women's employment and earnings index received a C grade, in part because their median annual earnings are 42nd in the nation and few women are in professional and managerial jobs. The study found North Dakota's ratio of women's earnings to men's earnings for full-time work is fifth best in the nation.
But that is because North Dakota men's earnings relative to nationwide earnings are even lower, 50th in the nation. Only Arkansas men have lower earnings, the study found.
The state received another C grade for women in politics. While the state has one of the top rates of women voting, it is 40th in the nation for number of women in elective office. Two women, the state treasurer and a public service commissioner, hold statewide elective office and 16 percent of state legislators are women.
Heather Steffl of the League of Women Voters Bismarck-Mandan noted that the study did not consider the number of women in state government Cabinet positions, including the state securities commissioner and the directors of the Department of Human Services, Corrections and Rehabilitation, Job Service, Office of Management and Budget, Indian Affairs and tourism.
"That, unfortunately, was left out," she said.
<snip>
View full article here
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18.) The Associated Press, Enforcement of Civil Rights Law Declined Since ’99, Study Finds
Enforcement of Civil Rights Law Declined Since '99, Study FindsBy The Associated Press
Published: November 22, 2004 – New York Times
Criminal charges of civil rights violations were brought against 84 defendants last year, down from 159 in 1999, according to Justice Department data analyzed by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University.
The study also found that the number of times the Federal Bureau of Investigation or another federal investigative agency recommended prosecution in civil rights cases fell by more than one-third, from more than 3,000 in 1999 to just over 1,900 last year. Federal court data also show that the government has sought fewer civil sanctions against civil rights violators.
One of the study's authors, David Burnham, said the results showed that civil rights enforcement dropped across the board in President Bush's first term in office. "Collectively, some violators of the civil rights laws are not being dealt with by the government," Professor Burnham said. "This trend, we think, is significant."
It is unlikely the decline has occurred because of fewer civil rights violations occurring, the study suggests. The number of complaints about possible violations received by the Justice Department has remained at about 12,000 annually for each of the past five years. The Justice Department had no comment about the study.
When he announced his resignation on Nov. 9, Attorney General John Ashcroft listed as one of the department's accomplishments a statistic that showed the number of civil rights prosecutions was slightly higher over the past three years than the previous three-year period. Mr. Ashcroft also said the department had tripled the number of defendants charged in human trafficking cases compared with the previous three years.
The Syracuse report gives no conclusive reasons for the reduction over five years in civil rights enforcement but speculates that it could have resulted from federal prosecutors and investigators having spent far more time than in previous years on terrorism cases after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Civil rights cases made up a tiny fraction of the Justice Department's total of 99,341 criminal prosecutions in 2003. The study found, however, that only civil rights and environmental prosecutions were down from 1999 to 2003 as the total caseload rose by about 10 percent.
By far the biggest criminal prosecution category is illegal drugs, at about 33,100 cases last year, followed by immigration, weapons violations, white-collar crime and others. The study was based on data collected from the Justice Department, federal courts and Congressional budget documents.
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19.) The Forum (Fargo), Other views: City has a responsibility to ensure safe sidewalks
Other
views: City has a responsibility to ensure safe sidewalks
Once again, the cold, snow and ice season has arrived in the Fargo metro area. I am reminding all business owners in downtown Fargo, from Ninth Avenue North to Sixth Avenue South, from the river, to 45th Street west, to keep, their sidewalks cleared of snow. This includes the city of Fargo's property.
Most homeowners do a great job, so this message is to the businesses of Fargo. Last year the city did not enforce its snow removal ordinance. One city official stated that clearing sidewalks is not a top priority for Fargo, and the elderly, handicapped, disabled and disabled veterans should just stay home and have their medicine sent to them. I would like to remind the city that the citizens of Fargo pay him his salary to clean sidewalks that do not obey the city ordinances.
There are two ordinances; one is to have your sidewalk cleared within 24 hours of the end of the snowfall. The second ordinance is you cannot dump your parking lot snow on the sidewalks. All of the above is also in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, pertaining to right to access.
This year the elderly, handicapped, disabled and disabled veterans will be out videotaping business owners, and placing signs on their doors, explaining they are in violation of two city ordinances and the Federal Disabilities Act, and reporting them to the city and the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Let us keep the city safe this year for the people who do not have cars and have to walk to their destinations. When I went out for my walk Saturday morning, the majority of the downtown sidewalks were glare ice. Ice melt can be bought at every hardware store and discount store. Remember you are legally responsible for any injuries occurring on sidewalks.
<snip>
View full article here
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20.) Bismarck Tribune, Task force presents plan
Cheryl Long Feather is a board member of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition.
Task force
presents plan Bismarck Tribune – 12/14/2004
Members of a
Bismarck School District task force want to bolster American Indian student
achievement by bringing more Indian culture into classrooms, tracking student
achievement and providing tutoring.
Board
members asked for the task force of parents, educators and community members
more than a year ago because of a growing achievement gap between Indian and
caucasian students and the federal No Child Left Behind law that requires all
students to have mastered math and reading by 2014.
View full article here
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21.) The Forum (Fargo), Other views: It’s just bad business to violate ADA
Other views:
It's just bad business to violate ADA
To all you business people who choose to circumvent the law and exclude an entire population of people, around 58 million to be exact:
Now, we know that all of the 58 million do not live in the F/M area, but a fair portion of that number do (16,892 in Cass County; 7,219 in Clay County).
Fifty-eight million people in the country have some kind of a functional disability. That's one out of five Americans. There's something going on that affects a major life activity, you know, stuff like walking, talking, hearing, seeing, thinking, learning, breathing.
That's a boatload of people with money to spend on goods and services. People with disabilities control $175 billion in discretionary spending. Like other markets, the disability community responds positively to companies whose marketing approaches are sensitive to their needs and interests.
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