Non-Discriminatory Practices Review Committee holds first meeting

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By Sam Elliott

The Zionsville Non-Discriminatory Practices Review Committee met for the first time Sept. 14 to elect a chairperson and establish a to-do list.

The town council formed the committee this summer shortly after the state of Indiana sparked national debate on its Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which received criticism from many people who believed it encouraged discrimination.

Town council vice president Susana Suarez proposed the ordinance creating the committee and she accepted the role of chairperson at its first meeting.

“I am very proud of our town,” she said. “I’m very proud of the foresight and courage it took the council to put together a group like this to be able to provide a forum for people to feel that they have a place to go in case they feel something has happened to them.”

The committee will field complaints from residents should they feel denied employment or housing opportunities on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or familial, veteran or military status.

“This is one of those groups that we hope will rarely meet and will rarely be called,” Suarez said.

The ordinance can be found on the town’s website, which will be updated to include forms and information related to the committee.

“I think the council’s goal was ensuring that the public had a clear understanding that this was a town that was open to everyone, and we want to make sure we have businesses that are doing the same,” town attorney Heather Willey said. “What we want to do is give a voice to those who maybe don’t have a formal process that they can go through. “

In addition to Suarez, town councilors Tom Schuler and Mary Alice “Sam” Baldwin serve on the committee, along with business owner Bob Goodman and attorney Paula Taylor Whitfield.

The committee plans to meet again in late October to begin reviewing its online complaint application form and process.


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