To the Editor:
Middletown recently settled a racial harassment discrimination lawsuit by one of its own police officers for $300,000 dollars, of which the town must pay $70,000. The township attorney stated that the officials would be reviewing their discrimination policies and procedures.
There was an earlier sexual harassment settlement by a township employee.
A few years ago, while chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, I experienced disability discrimination by the township. As part of my settlement the township was supposed to review discrimination policies and train employees.
It is way past time for Middletown officials to take serious action to ensure a harassment-free environment for all employees. The logical action would be for the Middletown Human Rights Commission to help the Township Committee review its discrimination policies and train employees.
But wait, the MHRC has been decimated, reduced to four of the required eleven members and is nearly defunct! The remaining members have only met once since December.
If the MHRC were allowed to do its job, these expensive lawsuits and cash settlements could be avoided.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Schwebel
9 comments:
Try looking at that department head first, then talk...
Middletown never learns. Has a despotic point of view and defies the law every chance it gets in recent years.
One can only conclude government in this town needs serious remediation.
The attitude of those that are in positions of authority is astounding and ignorant of consequences. They don't seem to give a damn....."their way or the highway" !
They won't appoint anyone to the HRC, but will add 2 new positions to the Library Board and appoint thier cronies to make sure all of the surplus in the Library is depleted.
Is discrimination policy and procedure a written policy to be reviewed, or is it a practiced policy that has to be reviewed and then written? Is it municipal wide for all departments or is only the police department being reviewed? Is there a handbook given to all employees that contains this an other policy?
If there is any matetrial probably time for public records request.
One employee gets a 6 digit settlement and the person/people that are responsible still have jobs???
Only in NJ!!!
NO........ONLY IN MIDDLETOWN with these nincompoops they call government!!!!
I'm sure most of the police force would like to see Chief Ochs go. Although it would be expensive: sick time, vaction time, pension payouts and health benefits.
When you can't win an election, resort to name calling! Good tactic
This town is filled with clowns and their cronies. Good for those who have wone settlements for being harassed. Whether it was racially or sexually it sends a message that times have changed. We are not in the 60's anymore.
Pompolous
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