Appointment of Linda J. Thompson of 198 Melrose Street, to the Melrose Human Rights Commission, for a term of three years, said term to expire last day of February 2028.

Transcript (~3 min @ 24:10)

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▶ 23:57 Cal Finocchiaro: I should say, I personally know Anne, she's a remarkable person, has been involved. Uh, her kids live here, three kids live here, grandkids here, and I know she's very invested in the city, so I'm happy to see what she's, um, what she's stepping up. So I'd like to make a motion to recommend.

▶ 24:13 Jen Grigoraitis: Second, Uh, thank you. A motion to recommend Councilor Occhio and a second vice chair Carm Shady. Anyone on discussion? I in favor. Aye. Aye. Any opposed that? We'll go back to the full counsel with a motion to recommend. And the last item on our agenda tonight is ID number 1 2 6 5 4. The appointment of Linda J. Thompson of 1 98 Melrose Street to the Melrose Human Rights Commission for a term of three years. Said term to expire the last day of February, 2028. And, uh, Ms. Thompson also let us know she wasn't able to be here tonight. Um, did you want to speak to her? Certainly. So, Ms. Thompson reached out expressing interest in joining the HRC. Um, I believe you all have her resume and cover letter. She spoke very, um, passionately about being the parent of a transgender adult and her concerns about what is happening in our country right now and wanting to engage at a local level, which is a really wonderful and humbling thing to have. Um, I think she'll be a fantastic addition to the commission. Um, I think, as you all know, 'cause you've been going through the appointments, we have reinvigorated the Human Rights Commission. They've had several vacancies and we've been able to fill them. They have new leadership. There's a new chair and vice chair. Um, you may have seen they've re-engaged on social media. I think we're gonna see more activity from that commission. Um, I think partly because of what is happening in this broader moment in our, um, country. And I'm really happy about their level of engagement and wanting to provide education and advocacy for all of our residents. And also awareness about the rights that are afforded to everyone. So I think Linda will be a wonderful addition. I'm really thrilled that she offered up her time and services. Wonderful. Uh, vice Chair Kam Shadi,

▶ 25:41 Manjula Karamcheti: Um, I'm just happy to speak on behalf of Linda Thompson as well. She's Ward one resident, has been actively engaged in advocacy for a variety of populations and is a creative thinker, really bright person, has a lot of talent in the business fields as well. And, and I think she'll bring a lot of energy, enthusiasm, and a great sense of humor to this work, which I think are all really important. She takes the work very seriously, but not herself seriously all the time. Um, and has bounds of empathy, um, for a cross section of folks, which I think is really important. So, second,

▶ 26:25 Kimberly Vandiver: So I'll Make a motion. Motion, recommend Vice Chair Carrum Chaney in a second. Councilor Pinocchio. Anyone on discussion? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? So that we'll also go back to the full council with a motion, uh, recommendation for passage. Um, thank you so much, Madam Mayor, for all of the very thoughtful and high quality appointments you've been bringing to Melrose. It's amazing. Yeah. Um, I'm now motioned by unanimous consent to adjourn, so no objections. We're adjourned. Alright. Damn.