Boro will resolve to be an inclusive community
Vote on Human Relations Committee resolution May 16
BY SARAH KLEPNER
Staff Writer

A Red Bank resident stepped forward last week to make sure that everyone in the community feels welcome.

David Pascale, a member of the borough's Human Relations Committee, presented a resolution to the Borough Council last week that would make inclusiveness a primary principle in borough governance.

The presentation of the resolution brings Red Bank one step closer to membership in the Partnership for Working toward Inclusive Communities (PWIC), a program of the National League of Cities (NLC).

Pascale made the presentation and spoke about his involvement with the process.

"I just wanted to be a part of a town that wants its residents to feel included and not expected to be silent or inactive in the community.

"I wanted to be in a town where I could help all the residents … and feel a part of the community," Pascale said last Monday. "Red Bank has some of the most diverse residents of any town I can think of."

As a gay man, Pascale said he wants to reach out to the gay community in Red Bank. Last summer, he realized there is a significant yet quiet gay presence here, including gay families.

"I want to be a part of the [Red Bank] community, and I want others who aren't active right now to feel welcome," he said.

Pascale joined the committee this past January, achieving the distinction of being the first vice-chair elected in his first week on the committee.

He said the committee has also been discussing ways of involving the Latino community, including the possibility of adding a position on the committee.

In petitioning the council for approval of the inclusivity resolution, Pascale described a proactive approach: "Instead of dealing with the negatives, we want to add to the community, make things better."

Currently, there are 171 municipalities in 40 states which have joined the partnership.

After the presentation, Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna told Pascale, "We take your recommendation very seriously."

Menna said the resolution would be adopted formally by the Borough Council at the next meeting May 16 at 6:30 p.m.

"What I think has to be addressed is an overall reaffirmation [of human rights] and re-education for all residents, especially young people. It is a continuing process, not just when there is an incident," Menna said.

"All of us have an obligation to reaffirm [this]. We can't legislate it away, we have to nurture it. People have to be reminded that an attack against one group's human rights is an attack on all."

Councilman John Curley, liaison to the HRC, said, "This is taking us a tremendous distance, from the county level, to the national level. Discrimination does not have political borders. To have information coming in from a national group is wonderful."

According to the NLC Web site, when Red Bank has returned a signed resolution to the NLC, thus enrolling in PWIC, the borough will receive a complimentary road sign "that will serve as a daily reminder that your community is working toward a better future for its citizens."

The office of the NLC works with municipalities to point out programs which "promote the values of diversity and inclusiveness.