The initial meeting of the Advisory Human Relations Council will be rescheduled due to a conflict with schedules. Please be advised we will be notifying you of the rescheduled date and time for this meeting to take place in the early part of January.
The city of Valparaiso has named the initial 10 members of its Advisory Human Relations Council and scheduled its first meeting, which is open to the public. The Advisory Council was established earlier this year through an ordinance, dedicated to creating a nondiscriminatory environment in the city of Valparaiso by promoting a better understanding of the diversity of its citizens and raising the awareness of diversity-related issues in the community. The first meeting will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 20 in the Training Room at the Valparaiso Police Department, 355 S. Washington St.
The Advisory Council has been appointed by Mayor Jon Costas, with two additional nonvoting members who will be students suggested by local schools. “Creating this formalized and lasting Advisory Council helps our city to foster a culture that includes everyone,” said Mayor Jon Costas. “As our community and country evolve, we want to maintain an environment that embraces a variety of people and viewpoints.” The 10 members of the initial council have a variety of terms, ranging from two to four years, ensuring continuity of the group for the future.
The Advisory Council is an expanded and permanent extension of the Human Relations Council initially established by Costas in 2008. That group was active in responding to diversity concerns submitted by the community, organizing Martin Luther King Day activities, and supporting the Diversity Summit hosted by Valparaiso University in April, 2011, which was initiated by VU President Mark Heckler and Mayor Jon Costas. Ivan Bodensteiner, Chairman of the original council, remains on the new Advisory Council. “We’re very pleased to become an established part of our city with an ordinance which spells out our direction and provides a permanent structure. We’re looking forward to involving all aspects of the community – businesses, faith-based organizations, schools, and others,” said Bodensteiner.
The entire Advisory Council includes:
- Bill Oeding, City Administrator for City of Valparaiso
- Larry Moore, Vice President of Computer Services, Inc.
- Beth Wrobel, Executive Director of HealthLinc
- Ivan Bodensteiner, Professor at Valparaiso University School of Law
- Zahra Nwabara, Director of Admissions at Valparaiso University
- Jacob Williams, Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church
- Rob Haworth, Assistant Superintendent at Valparaiso Community Schools
- Rick Soria, Dean, School of Public and Social Services at Ivy Tech Community College
- Deb Butterfield, Valparaiso City Councilperson
- Bill Lewis, President of Hixon Home Improvements Co. Inc.
Also serving is Tracey Pappas, Co-owner of Pappas Logistics, who will serve as the Advisory Council’s Responder, providing active and independent response on concerns submitted by the community. The public is invited to participate in the initial and future meetings of the Advisory Human Relations Council and may also submit ideas or concerns for discussion. To get involved, contact Christine Hisick, the city’s Neighborhood Liaison. She can be reached at City Hall, 219-462-1161 or online at chisick@valpo.us.