Royal Oak Considering Human Rights Ordinance Like One Proposed in Rochester Hills
The ordinance passed its first reading this week.
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The Royal Oak City Commission voted 6-1 this week to approve a human rights ordinance on the first reading.
The ordinance, drafted by City Attorney Dave Gillam, would protect against discrimination in employment, housing or public accommodation on the basis of height, weight, marital status, source of income, family responsibility, education association, sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status.
Read the full report on Royal Oak Patch.
It is similar to one that a citizen group, called Rochester Hills Together, urged Rochester Hills leaders to adopt last year.
That ordinance, proponents said, would serve as a welcome mat for the city and protect all citizens from discrimination. Rochester Hills City Councilmembers ultimately chose not to consider the ordinance, saying it should be enacted at the state and federal level and not by a city.
Last February, councilmembers did approve a resolution that strengthened the city's commitment to civil rights.
If passed into law, Royal Oak will join Ann Arbor, Birmingham, Detroit, East Lansing, Ferndale, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Saginaw, Traverse City and Ypsilanti in enacting a human rights ordinance, according to Royal Oak Patch.
Steve Clarke
10:57 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013
I would urge the appropriate committee to think long and hard before passing a bill like this. I am not against anyone's rights as citizens but,enough laws exist now. You have heard of unintended consequences, right ???
Cheryl Junker
11:59 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013
Like......?????? Pronto expands into Rochester? They come up with their own clothing line?
Timothy Maurer
3:07 pm on Thursday, January 31, 2013
I've taken the time to watch pretty much every Rochester Hills council meeting archived via Rochester Hills.org. What I've discovered (and it didn't surprise me) is that the most venerable, fiscally responsible, caring, citizen driven councilman is Ravi Yalamanchi. Ravi supported the Parks amendment when it wasn't the popular thing to do on council. Ravi supported recycling when it wasn't the popular thing to do on council. Ravi questioned the expenditure of $60,000 dollars for the services of a PR/Lobby firm when it wasn't the popular thing to do on council (even the most "anti government/pro constitution council members voted YES for this expenditure. Ravi supported the resolution to ask DTE for an opt out provision for smart meter installation because some people believed that the meters were harming them (humane thing to do). The smart thing to do on council is join the Mayor's team. We all know that. Ravi investigates. Ravi questions. Ravi is not a Republican nor a democrat. He has supported both staunch conservatives and liberals for committee and local govt positions. He puts character before party and has miffed the old boys network on many occasions. I think it says a lot when a man who is so maganimous and thorough supports a human rights ordinance in Rochester Hills. I think both left leaning, right leaning citizens would agree the best men/women in government today are the ones who make sincere decisions; not ones teed up for them by mayor/party.
James Redd
12:58 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Timothy,
You are correct. He takes his job very serously and is not one to just "run with the herd". As you pointed out, meetings are available online, so there is no excuse not to check out YOUR government in action.
Cheryl Junker
1:05 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Thank you Ravi! Thank you Tim for all of your hard work!