Published July 22, 2020
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD – The town is seeking candidates to fill four vacancies on the Wakefield Human Rights Commission. The vacancies were a result of resignations that followed in the wake of a May 7, 2020 WHRC Pride Month Subcommittee Meeting during which a discussion took an troubling turn.
The topics on the agenda for that virtual Zoom subcommittee meeting included a discussion of plans for a local Pride Day celebration and potential speakers for that event. Among the names discussed was that of then-Town Council Chairman Edward Dombroski. In the course of the discussion several jokes and unflattering remarks were made at Dombroski’s expense.
Several weeks later, after Dombroski learned of the discussion and watched the video of the meeting, he posted online an open letter to Wakefield Human Rights Commission Chair Maria Muti referencing the comments made during the discussion.
“The WHRC is an organization built on the ideas of promoting acceptance, inclusion and diversity,” Dombroski wrote. “The discussion I watched reflected none of those objectives.”
Instead, he wrote, the discussion of him included “mocking commentary, divisive language, baseless stereotyping, dismissive sarcasm, reenactment of a suicide attempt and uninformed speculation about me, stated as fact.”
Dombroski elaborated further at the June 8 Town Council Meeting.
“The conduct of the participants in that meeting was both disappointing and disgraceful and it is simply indefensible,” he said. “And, I also learned that there was an unsuccessful attempt by the Commission to have the video recording taken down from our Town’s website.
“We [the Town Council] are the appointing authority for half of the seats on the Human Rights Commission, along with the School Committee, and I believe that we have a responsibility to act,” Dombroski said. He asked that the Town Council “begin a dialogue with our School Committee counterparts to determine how to best address this issue and prevent anything like this from ever happening again. Because our Wakefield community, I believe, deserves better.”
At the same June 8 Town Council Meeting, a tearful WHRC Chair Maria Muti also addressed the matter.
“At a recent HRC subcommittee meeting, participants engaged in dialogue that was inappropriate, hurtful and the antithesis of the Wakefield Human Rights Commission’s mission,” Muti said. “I am deeply troubled by and sorry for what was said and have personally spoken with each person involved. They are aware of the pain caused by their actions and are sincerely sorry. As a Commission, we have worked hard to actively and vocally initiate community conversations around diversity, inclusion and bias. As Chair, I commit that the Commission will be taking some time to look inward at our own assumptions, processes and biases.”
On June 11, Muti wrote to Town Council Chair Ann Santos and School Committee Chair Aimee Purcell.
“I am writing to notify you that effective today, all four members of the Pride Month subcommittee of the Wakefield Human Rights Commission have resigned,” Muti wrote. “I fervently hope that we have recognized and righted our wrongs and can start the difficult and important work of rebuilding the community’s trust. Should you wish to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact me.”
The following notice appeared on the Town’s web site yesterday:
“The Wakefield Town Council is seeking Wakefield residents, 18 years of age and older who are interested in serving on the Wakefield Human Rights Commission to fill a Town Council appointed position for the remainder of a three-year term ending April of 2021. There are also three (3) vacant School Committee appointed positions to fill un-expired terms. Two positions through April 2021 and one position through April 2023.
The mission of the Human Rights Commission is to promote the civil and human rights of all people in Wakefield. The goal is to reinforce positive relationships in the community and to create educational programs to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for diversity. Such educational activities help communities become more harmonious, respectful, and cohesive. Through working with other groups and agencies within our community, we will strive to eliminate prejudice and intolerance, promote mutual respect and human rights and accept individual differences. The Commission meets the third Tuesday of each month currently via Zoom at 7:00 p.m. As needed are ad hoc meetings to plan events, through subcommittees, and the events themselves. The Town Council are looking for dynamic candidates who are dedicated to the importance of human rights and would like to help further our programs and activities to educate and promote human rights in Wakefield.
Those interested in applying are instructed to complete the Application for Appointment and submit a resume. Applications and resumes will be accepted through August 19th, 2020 by 4:30 p.m. via email only to Sherri Dalton, Executive Assistant sdalton@wakefield.ma.us. The process also requires a brief telephone interview with the Chair of the Town Council, Chair of the School Committee and the Chair of the Human Rights Commission.”
There are links on the town’s web site to applications for candidates wishing to apply for the open positions.
