For Release: Immediate	Contact: Peter K. Cutler
Date: October 18, 2000	851-4841

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NAMED TO COMMISSION ON CITIZEN RIGHTS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

BUFFALO (10/18/00) - Mayor Anthony M. Masiello and Sandra Mobley-Terry, Chair of the new Commission on Citizen Rights and Community Relations, today announced the appointment of Rita Hubbard-Robinson to Executive Director of the Commission.

"The revised City Charter established this new entity to provide greater assistance to our city's residents in cases of racial, religious, ethnic or sexual intolerance," stated Mayor Masiello. "More importantly, the new Commission is also charged with developing citywide programs to improve relations among the city's diverse ethnic, religious and racial communities. To that end, I commend the Commission's Search Committee with their recommendation of Rita Hubbard-Robinson as Executive Director. Rita Hubbard-Robinson has distinguished herself both professionally and academically. I know she will bring great expertise, knowledge and creativity to the vitally important work of the commission."

As stated in the City Charter, the Commission is designed "to eliminate prejudice, intolerance, bigotry and discrimination; to encourage equality of treatment and prevent discrimination against persons based on race, ethnic background, cultural background, language religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, nationality and age; and to assure respect for the civil liberties of all citizens."

The Commission's Duties and Powers include: develop citywide programs to improve relations among the city's diverse ethnic, religious and racial communities; investigate and recommend action in response to incidents of any type of bias; examine, assess and recommend action on issues of equal opportunity; assist citizens with filing and pursuing complaints of police misconduct; review, monitor, report on and recommend action concerning the police department's community relations training procedures and its standards and procedures for investigating, acting upon and resolving complaints of police misconduct; produce an annual report of its activities to the Mayor and the Common Council; conduct public and private hearings, with subpoena power, to take testimony under oath.

For the past five years Rita Hubbard-Robinson served as Executive Director of Preventionfocus Inc., a Buffalo-based social service agency, the largest of its kind Erie County, that is engaged in substance abuse, teen pregnancy and violence prevention. Ms. Hubbard-Robinson was responsible for a staff of thirty individuals, contract management, grant writing, report writing, fiscal management and full implementation of in-school and community services. The agency has an annual budget of one million dollars.

"Most valuable among Buffalo's many assets is its rich cultural, religious and ethnic populace," stated Ms. Hubbard-Robinson. "The work of the Commission will provide a bridge between the people, government and leadership to enhance the attributes of Buffalo. Public relations and marketing strategies that communicate the Commission's mission and goals will give rise to trust in the Commission's purpose. This trust is an important vehicle necessary to the process of fostering and restoring faith in government and leadership."

The 11-member Commission on Citizens Rights and Community Relations is comprised of mayoral appointments confirmed by the Common Council. The members serve for varying three-, two- and one-year staggered terms. The Mayor submitted his nominees for the Commission in June 2000; the Commission commenced operation, according to the new City Charter, in July 2000.

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