(La Porte, IN) - A revamped human rights committee in La Porte has taken full shape.  Five members of the city’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee were appointed during Monday night’s La Porte City Council meeting.

 

One of the members, Elissa Affeld, is a social worker and member of the local LGBTQ community.  “I’m excited to advocate for people in our community and make sure their voices are heard at the city level,” she said.

 

Affeld and La Porte County Police Officer, Marvin McCoy, were appointed by the city council.  “Progress is really important to me.  Diversity and Inclusion are very important to me,” he said.

 

Mayor Tom Dermody named Jessica Aguilar, Selah Brooks and Frank Zolvinski, who’s a Deacon at Sacred Heart Church. 

 

The city council voted to form the committee several months ago as part of a tightening of the city’s human rights ordinance to make sure all people are protected from discrimination.  The committee will become an official governing body at the first of the year.  Officials said the committee will not formally hear or decide complaints due to lack of local resources.

 

Allegations of discrimination must be filed at the state level of government.  The local committee’s primary role is to promote the city as a community welcoming to all individuals, officials said.

 

City Councilman Tim Franke said all of the applications to serve on the committee were reviewed and considered.  “We appreciate everyone’s willingness to serve,” he said.