Fayetteville Mayor Appoints 15 To Civil Rights Advisory Group

FAYETTEVILLE -- Mayor Lioneld Jordan on Tuesday named 15 appointees to a group that will help determine how best to implement and enforce the city's new Civil Rights Administration ordinance.

The ordinance, which is set to take effect Sept. 20, prohibits specific types of discrimination based on someone's race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic background, veteran status and several other characteristics. The ordinance also will create an administrative position to field, investigate and, in some cases, mediate complaints.

Steve Clark, president and CEO of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, in a letter sent to the mayor Thursday, requested Jordan create a 10-member advisory group to address concerns from members of "the business community." Clark suggested the group have representatives from the LGBT community, business community, real estate sector, faith community and attorneys who are regularly engaged in civil rights practice.

The appointments Jordan made Tuesday are:

• Maria Baez de Hicks -- President, Arkansas Federation of Democratic Women

• Kate Bartow -- Representative, NWA Center for Equality

• Bill Bradley -- President and CEO, Washington Regional Medical Center

• Kim Coats -- Attorney, Littler Mendelson law firm

• The Rev. Lowell Grisham -- Rector, St. Paul's Episcopal Church

• Laura Hampton -- Disabled resident

• The Rev. Jim Huffman -- Pastor, Christ's Church of Fayetteville

• Sue Madison -- Former Arkansas senator and state representative

• Mark Martin -- Attorney, Martin Law Firm

• Anne Mourney -- General Counsel, Lindsey Management Co.

• James Rector -- Board president, NWA Center for Equality

• Anne Shelley -- Executive director, Northwest Arkansas Rape Crisis Center

• The Rev. Curtiss Smith -- Senior Pastor, St. James Missionary Baptist Church

• Tony Uth -- Tax Partner, HoganTaylor accounting

• Danielle Wood -- Director, University of Arkansas Equal Opportunity and Compliance office

The group is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Thursday in Room 326 of the City Administration Building, 113 W. Mountain St. The meeting is open to the public, but public comment will not be taken.