Salina's Amended Discrimination Ordinance To Be Implemented June 4th
KSAL Staff - Mon 04:58 PM 09/10/2012
Salina’s amended anti-discrimination ordinance will go into effect later this week, and be implemented on June 4th.
City Commissioners last week on first reading elected to change the anti-discrimination ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The ordinance will prohibit discrimination of gay, lesbian, or transgender residents in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations.
On second reading Monday the ordinance was again approved, with the implementation date added. The ordinance will go into effect when it is published later this week in the Salina Journal, probably Thursday, or Friday. In order to give businesses time to make sure they are in compliance, it will not be implemented for two weeks, on June 4th.
Just like a week ago, the vote on the issue was 3 – 2. Vice Mayor Barb Shirley and Commissioners Aaron Householter and Kaye Crawford voted for the ordinance change. Mayor Norm Jennings and Commissioner Samantha Angell voted against it.
The meeting was the culmination of several months of discussion, and public meetings on the issue. As part of the process, the city hosted three public forums on the issue.
But, the issue might not yet be over. Those opposed to the ordinance change could ultimately get it put on a ballot for a public vote to overturn via a petition drive. Anyone considered doing that is advised to first contact County Counselor Mike Montoya.
If enough valid signatures are gathered, the Salina City Commission would put it on the ballot. They would have 90 days to call the election. If no election is on the ballot within 90 days, a special election would be called.
Salina City Attorney Greg Bengston said that at this point, if a valid petition is turned in, it is too late to be on the ballot for the August primary election. For it to be on the ballot in the November general election, it would have to be approved by September 3rd. The advantage to having it on the ballot in a primary or general election is that it would not coast any money. There would be a cost in calling a special election.
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IamMe
Monday 21 May 2012 21:09 Report this comment
Thomas Park a protected area now?
BobBowser
Monday 21 May 2012 21:36 Report this comment
What most fail to mention is the City’s assumption in this ordinance that they can dictate to religious groups how they use their property. This ordinance will fail miserably under the scrutiny of a legal Constitutional challenge at great expense to SalinaTaxpayers if it is not repealed. If Mr. Householter needs a lesson in Constitutional Law, he need only to look into the US Supreme Court’s decision on Heller vs. United States (June 2010) where the Justices concurred that “the Second Amendment applies to states and municipalities as well as the federal government.”
Glickville06
Monday 21 May 2012 21:55 Report this comment
BobBower: Your not going to like it when the DOMA is squashed, and a new law for Heterosexuals & Homosexual Marriage, Churches would have to fallow, even if they dont chose too! Federal, State, County, City, Township are all governmental bodies, they all have separate laws and duties. Federal and State laws do twine with each-other now and then. Every State including Kansas has their own Constitution, Wyandotte Constitution. We as citizens of Kansas fallow our state Constitution and yes federal, but this matter should be up to our state and local governments not federal, its not a big case, their are more pressing issues than ours. IamMe: Yes Thomas Park is now protected but wont be affect till June 4th 2012.
troy
Monday 21 May 2012 21:56 Report this comment
Our city commision is simply sad to say the least. The pattern of decisions AGAINST popular opinion is deplorable. We voted the River thing down and then shortly afterwards they voted to spend about $50,000 to STUDY what we had just voted down. What are you people thinking? To the commision: Is it just that easy to do whatever you want regardless of what the people wish? How have you gotten to this point? I cannot feature making such decisions when so many are opposed. Are you seriously unaffected by the wishes of the majority? I find myself unable to understand how you can do this over and over again claiming to be doing so for OUR good. Your doing us no good at all. Please stop!
Jon
Monday 21 May 2012 22:01 Report this comment
Bob: There are ordinances like this all over the country. Over 40% of the population lives in a state or municipality with LGBT protections. In some cases for years or decades. To my not knowledge not a single ordinance has been overturned as unconstitutional. Can you please explain why the Salina ordinance is an exception?
chuckwagon
Monday 21 May 2012 22:06 Report this comment
How is it that a person or group of people from outside Salina can get this passed on quickly? I made a major purchase in Salina a few weeks ago. When this takes effect I will make my purchases in another city. I will ask all my friends too do the same. Take a look at the poll question of do the people approve this new ordinance on the KSAL Link page.
Iamgonnagetu
Monday 21 May 2012 23:04 Report this comment
The 3 commissioners have now made it so the gays especially transgenders are no longer accepted in Salina. They have now placed a target on the backs of each and everyone of these people. All 3 of these commissioners have a target on their backs as well and none with be re-elected. They also should check with there legal counsel before they do anything. We will be watching anything not done according to statue will result in legal remedies.
Iamgonnagetu
Monday 21 May 2012 23:11 Report this comment
One question after June 4th can all the people who travel E. MAGNOLIA file discrimination complaints against the city for not letting them use streets of their choice to detour around the construction zone.
getumgranny
Tuesday 22 May 2012 06:35 Report this comment
My, my, my---Let the games begin!!! I hope the commissioners and city/county counselors do not have a life planned for the next couple years, I suspect they will be awfully busy litigating this ridiculous ordinance after June 4th!!! troy: The track history of both City/County commissioners has been, and will ALWAYS be, they will do what they want, damn the citizens!! I have seen them in action for years and it's always been my belief, most of them that get elected and/or run for these positions do so for self-serving reasons, there have been a couple times we have gotten someone that went into office with good intentions, and the "good ole boys" club has ruined them!! The solution, you young ones out here that still have the fire to fight for our citizens need to throw your hats in the ring, then stand your ground once you are elected!! DO NOT allow anyone to change your minds, it will take strong minded people!!
GetAGrip
Tuesday 22 May 2012 07:48 Report this comment
Oh yes Granny, if you want to make an honest person crooked, elect them to public office. Many years ago after I moved to Nevada a young attorney ran for office and won. He was a great person, good attorney, etc. After several terms in the senate, I now hate to admit I ever knew him. The locals used to call him, stand up Harry because of his honesty.
internetguy
Tuesday 22 May 2012 09:49 Report this comment
BobBowser: Are you going to lead the petition drive? I haven't heard if anyone is working on one.
GETALIFE674
Tuesday 22 May 2012 12:45 Report this comment
hey Kaye Crawford you have done the worst job of any commissioner in recent memory and your 2 buddies Aaron and Barb are close 2nds. now the old lady Kay is saying in the journal that they have spent to much time on this. How many tax payers told you that from day one? Are you to old to comprehen things any longer?
GETALIFE674
Tuesday 22 May 2012 12:50 Report this comment
I hear they are going to put bounties on their heads and thomas park will be the designated hunting area in salina. LOL let the games begin.
Glickville06
Tuesday 22 May 2012 15:06 Report this comment
OMG People Really? GETALIFE674: Are you really filled with this much hatred that you would hurt someone because they were gay, bi, or trans? You know what you saying is pure discrimination! And btw Thomas Park is a public Park, which anyone can go Gay or Straight!
troy
Tuesday 22 May 2012 18:08 Report this comment
I used the ladies restroom at Applebees today. It was very clean and smelled nice. Figured if someone had a problem with my doing this the city commision would have my back. Someones daughter came in while I was in there, she seemed a little surprised. Oh well.
ahh_ahh_Kansas
Tuesday 22 May 2012 18:19 Report this comment
No laws concerning bathrooms were changed. It is not now nor has it ever been illegal for men to use womens or women to use mens. It is simply a scare tactic used by ignorant bigots.
Iamgonnagetu
Tuesday 22 May 2012 18:32 Report this comment
Wrong ahh transgenders have that right now under this ordinance.
Iamgonnagetu
Tuesday 22 May 2012 18:36 Report this comment
Hey glickville did the gay community care about any of us when HIV hit the scene? To bad you cannot see when someone says things in jest.
ahh_ahh_Kansas
Tuesday 22 May 2012 21:35 Report this comment
My god, it's like talking to a bag of rocks. Transgenders have always been free to use whatever bathroom they wanted. This was discussed at the meeting. Chief Hill was asked specifically. THERE ARE NO LAWS REGARDING BATHROOMS. There never have been. Where do you people come up with this stuff?
Glickville06
Tuesday 22 May 2012 23:32 Report this comment
Iamgonnagetu: I am actually gay myself, and all I am trying to do it defend and protect the gay community. But I dont have time for this, I am fighting my own battles with the county commissioners. I do support this new ordinance.
GETALIFE674
Wednesday 23 May 2012 11:48 Report this comment
Hey Glick you never answered the HIV post. You and your fellow gays could care less about anyone else with a deadly diease but we are suppose to care about your rights which if violated is not a death sentence like your groups HIV diease is.
GETALIFE674
Wednesday 23 May 2012 11:51 Report this comment
ahh is this the same chief hill who says there are no gangs in salina? So much for that point you are making. Also give it a try and go into another sex's rest room and see what happens. I bet you get arrested especially if you are a male entering a woman's rest room.
Glickville06
Wednesday 23 May 2012 23:42 Report this comment
GETALIFE674: I care even if they have HIV, your still a person and it shouldnt matter if your gay, straight, you have HIV.... I love all people. Gay Rights are Human Rights, your judgements are clouded by hate that all you see is red, so sad, and im very disappointed to read these nasty comments. BTW ANY CAN GET HIV!!
RedNeckWatch
Tuesday 11 September 2012 03:44 Report this comment
Hate and ignorance are always losing strategies in the end. The LGBT community won 2 huge victories and will win another when the majority of good people of Salina vote to keep the ordinance. Oh, and Glickville06, some people are so ignorant and full of hate and fear that you cannot reason with them on any issue. For example, they would never believe that HIV is a largely heterosexual disease and has been spreading faster in the heterosexual community far fatser than any other group. But don't worry because the majority of people is Salina support the LGBT community.
GETALIFE674
Tuesday 11 September 2012 08:37 Report this comment
Once again this vile person is on here spouting falsehoods. The LGBT has set back all the ground that gay people gained in our city. To say a majority of the people in Salina support this ordiance is showing this person lives in a bubble. It took no time to get the signatures even through the people who live in the county were forbidden to sign the petition even throught it affected them also. Someone needs to change that law. Everyone something effects should be allowed to sign petitions and vote but Saline county and the city have taken that right away from us which is against the constitution.
RedNeckWatch
Tuesday 11 September 2012 21:00 Report this comment
Getagrip, how do you know so much about the gay community in Salina? As for your understanding of the Constitution, well, wrong again. Get used to the change. God bless.
Iamgonnagetu
Wednesday 12 September 2012 08:16 Report this comment
This ordinance will be buried no group needs more rights than anyother person. All societies have mutates such as the gays but learn to live with it like we do with annoying flies. Once we had enought of being disturbed by the fly we swat it. The same will occur in November with this ordinance.
RedNeckWatch
Friday 14 September 2012 23:50 Report this comment
I thought you said being gay had nothing to do with genetics. You are so full of hate your brain is rotting. One day you think one thing and the next day you think another. Won't be too much longer before you will be sitting in a chair facing the corner and won't know the difference.