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Citizens for Fair Ferndale Carries on Tradition of Human Rights

(Crystal A. Proxmire, The Ferndale 115 News, Feb. 15, 2012 ed)

George Chapp grew up in Sterling Heights, a place he said “where it takes 20 minutes to drive to anywhere.”  When he and his family moved to Ferndale, he expected it just to be another suburb.  “We only planned on being here a couple years.  But once we got involved we couldn’t leave. …We moved here because we wanted a real downtown.  But what struck us is that Ferndale is very diverse and passionate.  We have a community that really cares about the welfare of others.”

Chapp is a member of Citizens for Fair Ferndale, an organization with a rich history of social justice and fairness-related work.  At a recent get together, CFF members discussed their perspectives of fairness in the city, what they have accomplished so far, and where they might want to head.

Like Chapp, many of the members of CFF feel strongly tied to the community.  Bridget Deegan-Krause has lived in Ferndale for 12 years.  “Because of the scale of this place we can really get to know each other,” she said.

Greg Pawlica agreed “It’s the closeness.  I feel like so many people are part of my extended family.”

Francine Hachem, who has lived in Ferndale 17 years, said she was attracted to Ferndale as a young woman with no kids, “because I am addicted to meetings like this.”

“One of the things I really love,” Frank O’Donnell said, “is walking into a room like this and meeting someone and realizing that I’ve known their parents for about 50 years, and probably their grandparents.”  O’Donnell and his wife Helen Weber are previous Good Neighbor Award recipients for their decades of community involvement.

O’Donnell gave a history of human rights, sharing how work done integrating schools and fighting for an inclusive human rights ordinance led up to the formation of CFF.  (see video below or at http://youtu.be/t9x3uYB-dlQ)

The group, along with FAN (Friends and Neighbors), organized support campaigns for the human rights ordinance, which passed in 2006.  The issue which first brought the group together, is one that is on their radar once more in 2012 as a statewide bill now threatens to remove the rights of cities to make their own human rights ordinances.  HB 5039, introduced by Representative Tom McMillin (R-Rochester Hills), would amend the “Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act” to limit protected classes to those outlined in the 1976 law. HB 5039 states “A state agency or until of local government shall not adopt any ordinance, rule, regulation or policy that includes as a protected class, any classification not specifically included as a protected class under this act. Any existing ordinance, rule, regulation, or policy that includes, as a protected class, any classification not specifically included as a protected class under this act is void.”  The amendment goes on to state this would apply to any state agency or unit of local government including school districts and cities.

Kat Bruner James, President of CFF, said the group is gathering information on the bill, and will be discussing it at their next board meeting.

The group is also busy with another regular community service, the hosting of election forums.  Typically the League of Women Voters hosts candidate forums for elections, but in some cases they don’t, such as uncontested elections and ballot proposals.  This is when CFF Steps in to host theirs. “The forums are done in a way that is fair to all sides, and gives people a chance to hear about candidates and issues even when there is no contention so they can be informed when they cast their vote.”

The next CFF Forum will be on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 2pm at the Ferndale Public Library (222 E. Nine Mile). The forum will discuss the upcoming School Bond Millage Vote.  A representative of Citizens for Quality Schools as well as a representative of an opposing viewpoint have been invited to participate.

In addition to organizing around human rights and promoting fair political debate, CFF takes on other projects to encourage community spirit and fairness.  Their Good Neighbor Awards highlight community members who do a wide range of nice things for their communities.  Mary Schusterbauer said “Ferndale is full of people doing good things.  Think of the people that shovel the walks of their neighbors and never ask a thing in return.  Look how many people are already doing good things without any recognition.”  Giving community awards has been CFF’s way to recognize and encourage people helping each other.

Award winners have included community activists, people who look after their neighbors, a friendly mail person, business owners that invest themselves in the community, and even media entrepreneurs.  The 2010 awards can be found here, and the 2011 ones are here.

There has also been a mural project for kids, which is now hanging in the hall of the Kulick Community Center.  And the FernCare Free Health Clinic grew out of a seed planted by CFF members.

CFF meets on the second Thursday of every month at various locations.  They often meet at member’s homes, the Library, or at local restaurants.  Their recent meeting at the WAB (Woodward Avenue Brewers) gave them a chance to outline their needs for the coming year.

“We’re looking for people with skills in technology, fundraising, publicity and p.r., event planning, graphic design and office skills,” Bruner –James said.

The group considers itself “the grassyist rootiest of the grass roots organizations,” operating with only $1,500 a year. Donations are always welcome.  The money mainly goes towards funding the election forums and the Good Neighbor Awards.  To find out more about CFF visit www.fairferndale.org.