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Written by Louis Weisberg, Staff writer
Nov 17, 2010
Appleton City Council voted 12 -4 to retain the city’s diversity coordinator position.
Eliminating the position, which is currently held by Kathy Flores, was one of many proposals that aldermen debated during a seven-hour overnight meeting on Nov. 10 to consider ways of closing the city’s $2.5-million budget gap.
Although the position was retained, the diversity coordinator will no longer report to the mayor’s office, as it did in the past, but rather to the community development department. The shift in reporting will ensure that council members are kept abreast of the coordinator’s activities on behalf of Appleton and neighboring communities.
Advocates contend that the program, which began in 1997 under a different name, is more important now than ever. All of Appleton’s population growth over the next 20 years is projected to come from the city’s African-American, Asian (particularly Hmong), Latino and Native-American communities.
The coordinator builds bridges among communities, including the LGBT community, and creates an atmosphere of cross-cultural appreciation. Flores said the shift in reporting might expand her role to include more work in such areas as urban development and housing.
“I’m thrilled to be continuing this work in the city of Appleton,” Flores said. “Hopefully, we’ll continue to show how good it is that we continue this program.”
Flores said the position has regional value because it helps major employers in Appleton and neighboring communities, such as Kimberly Clark in Neenah, recruit and retain a diverse and top-notch workforce.
“I’m grateful to the 12 alder-folk who understand the importance of having this program in the City of Appleton, and I look forward to working with all of them and hopefully bringing them all on board,” Flores said.
