Commission on Human Rights fills need in Dutchess County

DUTCHESS COUNTY — Millerton resident Daniel Goldhagen is a regular reader of The Millerton News. In January, 2017, he read something he found disconcerting: reported incidents of hate crimes in the Harlem Valley, specifically with anti-Semitic posters being hung throughout the region.

“My mother’s a Holocaust survivor and as a result of the news article in January, 2017, about anti-Semitic fliers and posters in Millerton and surrounding areas, it was an alarm bell for me,” he said. 

That’s when he decided to look into joining the Dutchess County Commission on Human Rights.

“With not much being done by elected officials… I thought being on the commission was one way I could be most active,” he said, “not only in addressing that particular issue but racism and all other areas of human rights that we’re focused on.”

 The commission’s work

The purpose and goals of the county’s Commission on Human Rights are multifold, according to the county government’s website: to foster “mutual respect and understanding among all groups, including but not limited to racial, religious, national, disability and LGBT groups in the county; inquire into incidents of tension and conflict among or between various groups; report complaints of alleged discrimination because of age, creed, race, color, sex, etc.; conduct and recommend educational programs [to] increase the goodwill among people of the county”; and to study human relationships in the county and, when appropriate, make public the results.

Specific issues the commission deals with include human rights violations, housing, transportation, employment and access for people with disabilities, among others.

It’s a lot to manage, but Commissioner and EEO Officer Jody Miller said it’s necessary work. 

“The commission is really here — we developed a mission statement defending human rights, bridging our differences and embracing diversity,” said Miller from her Poughkeepsie office. “The role of the commission is to encourage conversations that bring people together to address our differences, and to educate people about human rights.”

She acknowledged that sometimes the commission is limited in what it can do.

“It can be difficult to turn people away,” she said, “there are things we can’t do based on our mandate. But we really do try to connect them to resources whenever possible if it’s not something we can help them with.”

 Really listening

Working within county government, the commission helps the community reach across its differences. 

One example of how it’s doing that is an Aug. 23 listening session the commission held in Millbrook, where a slew of gay pride flags had been vandalized and stolen recently. 

“We’re going out there to talk to people about what they think they could improve in their community, what they’re experiencing and what they think we should know,” Miller said. 

For more on last week’s listening session, go to Page A6.

Last year, the commission held four listening sessions, in Millerton, Red Hook, Beacon and Fishkill. This year, it’s hoping to host more. Local officials are invited — as are local residents — and often the sessions are held at community lunches.

“It’s been really great to get out into the county to find out what people are experiencing, and what needs some work,” said Miller.

The commission also holds the monthly 100 Cups of Coffee, which is a mediation exercise based out of Poughkeepsie, for now.

“The goal is to build up Poughkeepsie’s strength as a kind, safe, connected city, through dialogue and talking about all kinds of things,” said Miller, “like how turning on porch lights can be a welcoming message and increase safety.”

“We try to engage people on specific topics,” said Goldhagen. 

 Eastern Dutchess representation

Goldhagen added that another reason he was keen on joining the group was to represent eastern Dutchess County — often times said to be out of sight, out of mind of county government. 

“I thought it was very important that our voices be heard,” he said. “For me the most important thing is giving voice to our region and issues that we’re having in our community, specific to rural communities.”

From there, Goldhagen met with Miller, put forth his membership request, and approached elected leaders to support his endorsement. 

Ever since, he’s been participating in the commission’s mission, and trying to gauge how county residents feel about each other. And while headway is being made, important issues like the dissemination of anti-Semitic posters remain on the commission’s table.

“It’s kind of sporadic,” said Goldhagen about such cases. “I don’t think it’s endemic, thankfully, but it still needs to be addressed, and I’m not sure that has happened, not that specifically, but other acts of hate like what happened in Millbrook.”

 Filling a need

Fifteen people sit on the commission, including Miller. Members are appointed, seven by the county executive and seven by the chair of the Legislature. 

Miller said while it’s important that such bodies exist, she doesn’t see it as a negative that they’re needed.

“I don’t think we’re unique in any way; I think a lot of the things we hear are not unusual, not specific to Dutchess County,” she said. “It’s just part of life here in the United States and other places. I think we can offer value added, where people can go if they have concerns about human rights locally.”

“I think it’s something that’s needed in all counties and states,” agreed Goldhagen. “I think it’s something that’s very healthy and I think it’s very important for the economy and keeping people here. If you’re a group that doesn’t feel included, [you might] not want to stay here, or people who are attracted to come here might feel otherwise if there are issues.”

When issues do arise, the commission can step in to help. It’s a spring board to make elected officials aware of such problems and to direct people in how to address problems from a legal standpoint.

Miller stressed that the commission cannot investigate cases; it doesn’t have the power to do so. But it can “help somebody get there” in a case that falls under the jurisdiction of the New York State Division of Human Rights. 

“We really try to connect people with the resources that help,” she said. “As you can imagine, there are a lot of concerns that people bring to us. We really have to be clear about what we can do and what we can’t, because there’s a lot of need. We really try to support people in getting to resources, and try to help them in the best way possible.

“It’s been very fulfilling and meaningful,” Miller added. “We have an incredible commission. They’re all volunteers from throughout the county. People from all different areas, from different types of work they do, different ages, experiences. It’s wonderful to work with a group of people willing to give their time because they want to make the community a better place.”

To contact the Dutchess County Commission on Human Rights, email dchumanrights@dutchessny.gov or call 845-486-2169.