Diversity Affairs Council discusses joint meeting The council will meet jointly with Executive Committee to determine its role in the county By Monique Balas News-Chronicle The Brown County Diversity Affairs Council discussed at its meeting Tuesday how it will address its continued role in the county during an upcoming joint meeting with the county Executive Committee. The joint meeting, scheduled for Dec. 10 in the Northern Building, will be moderated by council chairman James Coates and Executive Committee Chairman Patrick Moynihan. Coates requested the meeting in October "in light of the fact that we have not had any civil communication with that body since our inception," Coates said. During the diversity committee meeting, Coates urged members to bring questions to the meeting to gain a better understanding of the council's role. He cited questions he'd like to see answered from the joint meeting, such as, "What role are we playing? Why have there been so few items referred to us? Why has there been snickering, or, maybe not snickering but (makes a groaning sound) when something is referred to us? What are the intentions of this body, as we report to them?" Coates said the diversity council reports directly to the executive committee and it makes sense for the two to work cooperatively. But recent tension between some county board and diversity council members has caused diversity council members to be apprehensive about how their views might be taken at the December meeting. "I think whatever questions we raise will be looked at as adversarial," said council member Alem Asres. "I don't feel whatever question we have is going to be friends questioning friends." - In other Diversity Affairs Council news: The group discussed complaints about racial discrimination at two downtown nightclubs. Council vice-chairman Rodney Cotillier said he recently patronized clubs where several minorities claimed they faced discrimination and filed complaints, but said he faced no unusual or discriminatory treatment. "I didn't see any issues," he said. "Basically we're talking about three people making a complaint and two of the people are relatives ... is there any information we're not aware of?" He referred to three young men who had made complaints against one of the clubs in 1998. Cotillier suggested getting more information before pressing the issue any further. The council has discussed the matter on and off for several months. - The council found the Brown County Sheriff's Department and Parks Department did not treat area Hmongs unfairly at a summertime event. The council examined security policies and fees at the request of organizers from the Hmong National Sports and Performing Arts Federation Inc. The organizers complained they faced unfair security charges and treatment and requested the council look into them. It decided after a half hour to send the findings to the federation with a letter announcing they will discuss the issue at a future meeting. FYI: The Diversity Affairs Council will discuss its future role in the county with the Executive Committee at a joint meeting, 5:15 p.m. Dec. 10 in Room 200 of the Northern Building, 305 E. Walnut St.