KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo Mayor Dave Anderson is being criticized for refusing to appoint an attorney to the city’s Civil Rights Board, because of who that lawyer works for.
Several members of ISAAC complained to the city commission that Lewis Smith could really help the panel with its work, but that he withdrew his application after a meeting with Mayor Anderson last week.
Here is ISAAC’s Cathy Phason.
Smith is the corporation council for the Kalamazoo County Commission, and the debate may be over whether that creates professional conflicts.
Resident Jerry Duncan accused the mayor of purposely trying to control the civil rights panel.
Commissioner Stephanie Hoffman urged the mayor to reconsider.
Mayor Anderson made no commitments but said he was willing to talk about it.
There are apparently three unfilled vacancies on the Civil Rights Board, and ISAAC would like to see all of them filled.
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