Fargo Fire Dept. Public Perception Survey
October 28, 2009 by admin
Please read the message from Captain Carley, and take the public perception survey, so we can gain a better idea of what changes are needed for equitable representation in the Fargo Fire Dept.
Please pass this survey on to everyone you know.
______________________________________________
The Fargo Fire Department is interested in learning what the community’s perception is of the fire department. We are interested in diversifying our candidate pool and feel that one tool to do so is to deliver the appropriate message to people via an appropriate form of media. A survey has been developed to help us learn about the community and what the community members think of the fire department and a career in the fire service. You will find two ways to access this survey below.
1. Follow this link: Public Perception Survey<http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=cibH9w8xnMQcYnUupL39fA_3d_3d>
2. If the link does not work, open a new window then copy and paste this address into the address bar:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=cibH9w8xnMQcYnUupL39fA_3d_3d
The focus of our interest is on the immediate Cass and Clay Counties area and I welcome anyone who would like to forward this link to someone in the Cass and Clay Counties area to do so. Regional input is also helpful but not our primary focus. If you are aware of an interested organization within the eastern North Dakota, northwestern Minnesota, or northeastern South Dakota area that would have input, please forward it to that group also; however, I will not be traveling out of the two county area to pick up paper copies.
If you have any questions, please call me at (218)329-2630 between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm. If I do not answer, please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as possible.
Thank you very much for your time,
Dane Carley
dcarley@cityoffargo.com
(701) 241-8165
UND’s Special Task Force Submits Final Report On Policies Related To Bias-Related Incidents
June 11, 2009 by admin
A task force charged with reviewing University of North Dakota policies related to bias-related incidents has submitted its final report to UND Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Paul LeBel, Vice President for Student and Outreach Services Robert Boyd, and Vice President For Finance and Operations Alice Brekke.
The task force, chaired by Psychology Professor James Antes, was formed in the summer of 2008 in response to bias-related incidents that had occurred on campus during the 2007-2008 academic year. Two of the three vice presidents who formed the task force – Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Greg Weisenstein and Vice President for Finance & Operations Robert Gallager – have since left the university. Daniel Rice, Dean of the College of Education and Human Development, chaired the task force at the conclusion of its work.
“The Special Task Force was appointed almost a year ago by three Vice Presidents. Our charge was to address the improvement of the climate for diversity on campus, to review the way the university responds to incidents of bias, and to consider ways to prevent such incidents. The membership included faculty, staff, and students, broadly representing the university community. It is our hope that the steps we have recommended will make UND an even more welcoming and accepting place for all the members of the university community,” said Rice.
The Final Report includes description of the specific work of the task force, observations on campus climate, findings and recommendations. The task force report emphasizes the importance of diversity as a pre-condition for academic excellence and calls for collaborative work among all members of the UND community in improving conditions on the campus.
UND President Robert Kelley has asked Vice Presidents Boyd, Brekke, and LeBel to include a careful consideration of the task force Final Report in formulating recommendations to the President.
“We are very grateful for the hard work that the task force members put into this process,” said Provost LeBel. “Their efforts emphasize the University’s commitment to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment, and I am confident that significant steps will be taken as a result of their work.”
The Vice Presidents have committed to a meeting in August with the people who served on the task force to report on the recommendations made to the President.
The full report can be found at http://www2.und.nodak.edu/our/news/pdf/taskForceFinalReport.pdf
Moorhead Race Relations Studied
June 3, 2009 by admin
Coalition to determine how far city has come in decade since July 1998 riot
A riot rocked Moorhead on the Fourth of July in 1998 after police tried to make an arrest in a neighborhood with a large Hispanic population.
http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/242616/
Vacancies on Fargo Human Relations Commission
June 1, 2009 by admin
Due to expired terms and individuals moving out of the area, there will be three vacancies on the Fargo Human Relations Commission.
For more information, please visit: http://www.cityoffargo.com/CityInfo/Departments/PlaningandDevelopment/HumanRelations/
To complete an application, please visit: http://apps.cityoffargo.com/gettinginvolved/
Contact: Nate Bailly, City of Fargo, 701-476-6751
Attorney General Holder Pledges Full Support For Civil Rights
May 29, 2009 by admin
http://www.seattlemedium.com/news/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=96769&sID=3&ItemSource=L
Saberi returning to the U.S. today after prison confinement, stop in Vienna
May 22, 2009 by admin
http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/241457/group//
By: Associated Press
VIENNA (AP) — An official says an American journalist who spent four months in an Iranian prison is on her way to the United States.
Robert Hugins, public affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy in Austria, says Roxana Saberi left Vienna this morning on a flight bound for Washington, D.C.
The 32-year-old journalist, who was raised in Fargo and moved to Iran six years ago, was arrested in late January and convicted of spying in a closed-door trial that her Iranian-born father said lasted only 15 minutes.
She was freed on May 11 and spent a week in Austria recuperating.
Hugins said Roxana is traveling with her parents and a family friend.
NAACP’s Newest Chapter Opens in GF
May 21, 2009 by admin
UND Nickname & Logo
May 14, 2009 by admin
ND Board of Higher Ed votes to drop UND nickname & logo
North Dakota’s Board of Higher Education voted 8-0 today to get rid of the University of North Dakota’s contentious “Fighting Sioux” nickname and logo.
The decision came quickly after the announcement that UND would not be allowed into the Summit League for athletics until the issue was resolved. UND’s athletic director is reportedly very intersted in joining the league.
As Dr. Gipp notes in his statement (posted below), the NDBHE’s motivations are unclear. We hope, along with many others who have advocated for this change, that equality and human rights were a strong part of their consideration.
UND_President_Robert_O_Kelley’s_statement (PDF)
Dr_David_M_Gipp’s_statement (PDF)
Fong: More Elderly and Disabled Homeowners Now Qualify For Homestead Tax Credit
May 7, 2009 by admin
Bismarck, ND –Tax Commissioner Cory Fong announced today that more low-income senior citizens and disabled persons may be able to receive the Homestead Tax Credit for 2009 because of recent changes to the eligibility requirements.
“The 2009 Legislature recently passed Senate Bill 2402 making the credit available to more of our low-income elderly or disabled homeowners,” said Fong.
The Homestead Tax Credit is available to homeowners who are 65 years of age or older, or permanently and totally disabled. Qualified applicants receive a reduction in the property taxes on their primary residence.
“The Homestead Tax Credit is an important program that helps our low-income seniors and disabled homeowners stay in their homes,” said Fong. “The changes made to the program will allow more elderly and disabled homeowners to qualify for the program.”
The 2009 legislation increased the maximum amount of income allowed in order to qualify for the property tax credit. The new income limit is $26,000, after certain deductions. The old income limit was $17,500.
“Raising the income limit makes the program available to more people than before,” said Fong. “We want to get the word out so that everyone who is eligible has a chance to apply for the credit.”
Other changes to the program include raising in the maximum value of the primary residence that may be exempted as well as increasing the value of assets allowed.
Homeowners may apply for the credit by completing the Homestead Credit Application for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons and sending it to their local assessor or county director of tax equalization. For more information about the program or for the proper application, homeowners should contact their local assessor or county director of tax equalization.
Legislative Tracking Grid
January 5, 2009 by admin
Fair Housing of the Dakotas provides a great tracking grid for human rights related legislation. You can find it online here.
Recent Midwest Human Rights News- Troy Davis Teach-in September 16, 2009
- Film Showing of Torturing Democracy September 10, 2009
- ¡Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival August 3, 2009
- Film Screening: The Reckoning July 22, 2009
- Working Together for Women's Rights July 9, 2009