Human Rights Commission to meet in Mountain Home

The Idaho Human Rights Commission will meet in Mountain Home Wednesday, Oct. 26, to get public comment about the "human rights work being done in the city and Elmore County and the most important human rights issues facing the community."

Mayor Tom Rist will welcome the commissioners (which include former Mayor Joe B. McNeal), commission staff and the public for the portion of the meeting open to the public from 2-4 p.m. at the city council chambers in city hall.

Speakers will include Richard Urguidi from the Mountain Home Basque Association, Debbie Brito from the Elmore County Hispanic Organization, Jason and Helen Lau from the Elmore County Asian Committee, Mildred McNeal from the Mountain Home Black History Committee, Charles Taylor from the NAACP and SSgt. Evon Pretulak, the equal employment opportunity director for Mountain Home Air Force Base.

"This will be a valuable opportunity for us to build partnerships and coalitions in Mountain Home that will strengthen this very important work in Idaho," said Commissioner McNeal.

The commission is charged with "the fair, accurate and timely administration of state and federal anti-discrimination laws in Idaho to ensure that all people are treated with dignity and respect in their employment, housing, education and public accommodations."

The full Human Rights Commission meets four times a year. Wednesday's meeting will be the first quarterly meeting held outside Boise in three years because budget constraints have severely limited travel by the commissioners.

An executive session of the commission will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m.