(Sarah Randall / Western Herald) Kalamazoo City Commissioners carry on a discussion earlier last month during a regular meeting. The commissioners met Monday night at City Hall for a monthly business meeting.
By Craig Sudeikis
Western Herald
Kalamazoo City Commissioners unanimously adopted an ordinance Monday night to amend chapter 18 in the Kalamazoo City Code of Ordinances that renames Article II from “Discrimination in Real Estate Transactions” to “Discrimination Prohibited.”
The proposed amendment, a reworking of an original proposal by the Kalamazoo Alliance for Equality (KAFE), would add definitions, require contractors doing business with the city of Kalamazoo to satisfy a non-discrimination administrative policy adopted by the city manager and the city manager would also investigate claims that violate the new ordinance.
(Western Herald File Photo) Kalamazoo City Commissioners met earlier this year for a monthly business meeting. The commissioners also met Monday night at City Hall for a regular meeting.
The amendment would also pinpoint discriminatory practices in three main public arenas. It would generally prohibit discrimination against individuals because of their actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, height, weight, marital status, physical or mental ability, family status, sexual orientation or gender identity in the areas of housing, public accommodation and employment, according to city commission documents.
Rev. Marty Newman of Unity Church of Kalamazoo, was invited to say the invocation.
“Out of the 250 people who regularly attend the Unity Church, about 20 percent identify themselves as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender),” Newman said. “I’m so happy that this is being considered and I want to be part of a city, in the city, that supports all its citizens in the best way.”
Commissioner David Anderson took the abbreviated agenda to make an extended speech about the chronology of events that has led to the present and such advances in human tolerance, also his deep respect for the U.S. Constitution.
“I think it is appropriate language that was used in tonight’s invocation because it I think represents something that I hold very near and dear: that is the Constitution of the United States,” Anderson said.
Anderson spoke of the high water marks in American history and the sacrifice that went along with the fight for justice. He paralleled the new amendment with events such as women acquiring the vote, emancipation of the slaves and the civil rights protests of the 1960s.
Mayor Bobby Hopewell proclaimed Dec. 1 Greg Jennings day in Kalamazoo. The Kalamazoo native and former Western Michigan University football standout is now a receiver for the Green Bay Packers.
Gwen Jennings, Greg’s mother, was at the city commission meeting Monday night drumming up support for her son’s bid at this years pro bowl in Hawaii. Gwen Jennings showed off buttons she had made and flyers in support for number 85.
“All you do is go to NFL.com and vote for Greg Jennings,” Gwen Jennings said.
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