HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975 11-11 Citizens would be "disruptive" on commission, chairman says REVIEW Citizens would be `disru ptive'
on commission chairman says
hiov11, fg`7s J
by Scott Carlson Brisson, chairman of the Ramsey participatory. He took many stands in
A Maplewood citizen would be an County Taxpayers Party, said, "I'm not opposition to the council."
unacceptable member to the city's human destructive. I'm an upright citizen and But Fenner said he could recall of no
relations commission, according to its was born and raised in this country." time when he thought Brisson was
chairman. He did admit that while serving on the disruptive. "Disruptive is a matter of
"It is the opinion of the commissioners White Bear Lake Human Rights Corn- interpretation," he said.
that Mr. (Albert) Brisson would be a mission he opposed creation of a housing "By my definition he wasn't," Fenner
disruptive person to have on the com- authority and was against a legislative added.
mission," Mrs. Janet Kampf told the proposal for migrant workers, stating, Neil Franey, former chairman of the
Maplewood city council through letter "Minnesota should take care of its own White Bear Lake Human Rights Com-
last week. The commission therefore people." mission, agreed. "I wouldn't call him
recommended that the council refuse to Asked whether he opposes the concept (Brisson) disruptive," Franey said.
appoint Brisson to the 15 member body. of human rights and human rights Asked whether Brisson was
The city council tabled action on the commissions, Brisson responded, "We "irresponsible" in his community ac-
issue since Brisson was not present when favor too many groups. There should be tivities, Franey responded, "No. I don't
the item was considered at last Thursday human rights for all people. . . . I think think that statement is true."
night's agenda.The councilmen indicated we should have all the same justice." Asked whether Brisson seemed to be in
they have no intent to resurrect the issue. As for the question of whether he went opposition to the concept of human rights
Mayor Robert Bruton said he has heard to the state legislature to abolish human commissions, Franey said, "I think he
that when Brisson served on the White rights commissions, Brisson admitted, had the interests of the people at heart."
Bear Lake Human Rights Commission it "We do have a civil rights law already. "He was a faithful attender (of corn-
"was unable to conduct any business." We should have human rights corn- mission meetings)," he said.
The matter came before the council missions for everybody or else they But Franey said that an appointment
when Brisson wrote a letter asking"why I should be abolished." and make up of the commission probably
was denied my rights to serve on the White Bear Lake Mayor Dean Fenner, does not depend on any specific criteria
Maplewood Human Rights Commission, who was asked about Brisson,said,"Al is other than "personal chemistry" of the
which I applied to by application last certainly an outspoken person and very group.
October, 1974."
Brisson was at last Thursday night's
meeting but left before his item was
considered. "I left at 20 minutes to eleven
because I didn't see my name on the
agenda," Brisson said.
Contacted by the Review Sunday, Mrs.
Kampf was asked to explain what she
meant in her letter in stating "he
(Brisson) has had a history of being
irresponsible in his other community
activities."
Mrs. Kampf responded by first asking
why the item was news. After being in-
formed that a story would run in the
Review she refused to comment on the
matter beyond what was written in the
letter,
Mrs.Kampf in the letter continued,"As
you know, the Human Relations Com-
mission has functioned effectively
because each member has been a
productive and cooperative person.We do
not recommend Mr. Brisson for ap-
pointment and hope that you will abide by
this decision."
Contacted Monday morning by the
Review,Brisson said it is a "lie" that he
has been "disruptive" or has been
"irresponsible in his other community
activities."