There is hereby established in and for the Township
of Pemberton a body of citizens to be known as the "Pemberton Township
Human Relations Commission."
The Township Committee finds that the practice
of discrimination against any individual or individual's ancestry,
age, sex, political affiliation or marital status does not promote
general peace and harmony within the Township nor reflect the best
interests of the Township or its residents. In order to identify and
work towards the elimination of such prejudice and discrimination,
an instrumentality should be established through which the citizens
may be informed of Township human relation's developments, persons
or groups may seek advice or assistance, Township officials and/or
departments may obtain necessary advice or assistance and encouragement
of peace and harmony will be promoted for the good of the Township.
The Commission is empowered to adopt necessary
rules and procedures for the conduct of its business as it may determine
within the limitations of all federal and state laws.
The duties and functions of the Commission shall
be to:
A. Foster, through community effort or otherwise, goodwill,
cooperation and conciliation among the groups and elements of the
citizens of the community, and make recommendations to the Township
Administrator and Township Committee for the development of policies
and procedures in general and for programs of formal and informal
education that will aid and eliminate all types of discrimination
based on race, religion, creed, color, ancestry, age, national origin,
sex, political affiliation or marital status.
B. Serve as an advisory body to the Township Council
and recommend such legislative action as may be appropriate to effectuate
the policy of this article.
C. Study problems in the Township relating to relationships
among individuals and groups of all kinds and make recommendations
for the betterment of such relations within the community.
D. Invite and enlist the cooperation of all racial, sexual,
religious, ethnic, ancestral, generational and/or social groups, as
well as persons representing various economic, educational and social
groups in all areas of the Township, and act as a coordinating agency
among these and other groups in the community in the establishment
and maintenance of educational programs in the community designated
to bring about better human relations.
E. Investigate and study complaints, problems and specific
situations arising between groups or individuals which result or may
result in tensions, discriminations or prejudice within the Township
and offer its assistance in an attempt at conciliation or mediation
of any problems that may arise in the community which violate the
purposes of this article.
F. Investigate and mediate private sector affirmative
action complaints when appropriate.
G. Cooperate with interested citizens and other units
of government or any other agencies concerned with the purposes of
this article, particularly the Division on Civil Rights in the New
Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety.
H. Make a comprehensive annual report to the Township
Council and the Township Administrator concerning the activities,
involvements and recommendations of the Commission.