by Donna Thomas
The results of an annual open forum on human rights were presented to the Sartell City Council at its Sept. 22 meeting by Dr. Rachel Anyu-Lainjo, a member of the Regional Human Rights Commission.
The open forum took place May 6 at the Sartell Community Center, partly because the City of Sartell is a member of the HRC. Anyu-Lainjo is the director of equity and belonging for the HRC.
At the May 6 open forum, 30 Sartell residents participated in the discussion. According to Anyu-Lainjo, the group praised Sartell for its strong sense of community, easy access to outdoor recreation, quality education, a sense of safety and peacefulness and being a family-friendly place to live.
The purpose of the HRC, Anyu-Lainjo told the council, is “to secure for all citizens and visitors equal opportunity in education, employment, housing, public accommodations, public services and full participation for all its citizens in the affairs of this community.”
She added participants in the May 6 open forum raised specific concerns within those areas including housing affordability and regulation, urban planning and community spaces, school-system integration and equity and inclusion.
The HRC suggested to city council members that solutions to bridge those “community gaps” could come in the form of communication and awareness, inclusion, representation and community engagement and support.
At the close of Anyu-Lainjo’s presentation, she asked the city council members to commit their time to a discussion on how policies and decisions would affect everyone who lives in Sartell, with a focus on inclusivity.
