Opening on panel won't go to Rizoli

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Opening on panel won't go to Rizoli:
Selectmen vote to keep illegal immigrant foe off Human Relations board Friday, June 4, 2004

D. Craig MacCormack Metrowest Daily News

FRAMINGHAM -- Selectmen last night left four openings on the Human Relations Commission rather than appoint Joe Rizoli, one of the co-founders of a local group pushing for the enforcement of illegal immigration laws.
Commission Chairwoman Edwina Weston-Dyer agreed with the selectmen's vote to keep Rizoli off the panel, but Rizoli accused the four members who rejected him of doing the same thing to him that they often say he has done.
"You're being prejudiced toward me," said Rizoli after the vote.
The vote, part of appointments to 21 boards, committees and commissions by selectmen last night, means the Human Relations Commission will have four open seats at its next meeting, but Weston-Dyer agreed with the move.
"(Selectmen) aren't unfamiliar with some of the things he's been doing," she said, referring to Rizoli's group that opposes illegal immigration, Concerned Citizens and Friends of Illegal Immigration Law Enforcement.
"There is an agenda to the Human Relations Commission and I don't know what part of the agenda he would fit," said Weston-Dyer.
Selectman Ginger Esty, who voted against Vice Chairwoman Katie Murphy's motion to appoint Mahmood Akhtar, Carlos Cunningham and Tom Driscoll to three of the seven open slots, sympathized with Rizoli's plight.
She was the only selectman several months ago to vote against endorsing a proclamation that welcomes people of all backgrounds to the town. CCFIILE and Esty, among others, wanted the proclamation to exclude illegal immigrants.
"This board has just made an error," said Esty after last night's vote.
Murphy made the motion to bar Rizoli from the commission.
"I see no evidence Mr. Rizoli can bring a shred of positive energy to the Human Relations Commission," she said.
Rizoli also applied for the Cable Advisory Committee, but selectmen did not fill the vacancy on that panel, saying they will wait until a study group is put together to look into a public access corporation to decide its fate.
Rizoli and Rebecca Connelly were encouraged to go for that committee when its makeup is determined.
Selectmen also made appointments to the Board of Health, Board of Public Works, Community Development Committee, Council on Aging, Cultural Council. Cushing Chapel Advisory Committee and Economic Development Industrial Corporation.
Also getting new members were the Fair Housing Committee, Framingham Housing Partnership, Framingham Union Grants Panel, Historic District Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Tax Aid Fund Committee, and Water and Sewer Abatement Committee.
For the first time, the board made the appointments to the Conservation, Disability and Historical Commissions, with Town Manager George King turning over his power after Town Meeting voted to switch the authority last month.
The appointments for the Zoning Board of Appeals will be made after the panel votes on the proposed 150-unit low-income senior center project planned for Edmands Road called Shillman House.
Selectmen also joined the library trustees in unanimously appointing Kurt Samuelson to replace Paul Carney, who moved, on the library panel.

Opening on panel won't go to Rizoli: Selectmen vote to keep illegal immigrant foe off Human Relations board	Friday, June 4, 2004
D. Craig MacCormack	Metrowest Daily News
FRAMINGHAM -- Selectmen last night left four openings on the Human Relations Commission rather than appoint Joe Rizoli, one of the co-founders of a local group pushing for the enforcement of illegal immigration laws. Commission Chairwoman Edwina Weston-Dyer agreed with the selectmen's vote to keep Rizoli off the panel, but Rizoli accused the four members who rejected him of doing the same thing to him that they often say he has done. "You're being prejudiced toward me," said Rizoli after the vote. The vote, part of appointments to 21 boards, committees and commissions by selectmen last night, means the Human Relations Commission will have four open seats at its next meeting, but Weston-Dyer agreed with the move. "(Selectmen) aren't unfamiliar with some of the things he's been doing," she said, referring to Rizoli's group that opposes illegal immigration, Concerned Citizens and Friends of Illegal Immigration Law Enforcement. "There is an agenda to the Human Relations Commission and I don't know what part of the agenda he would fit," said Weston-Dyer. Selectman Ginger Esty, who voted against Vice Chairwoman Katie Murphy's motion to appoint Mahmood Akhtar, Carlos Cunningham and Tom Driscoll to three of the seven open slots, sympathized with Rizoli's plight. She was the only selectman several months ago to vote against endorsing a proclamation that welcomes people of all backgrounds to the town. CCFIILE and Esty, among others, wanted the proclamation to exclude illegal immigrants. "This board has just made an error," said Esty after last night's vote. Murphy made the motion to bar Rizoli from the commission. "I see no evidence Mr. Rizoli can bring a shred of positive energy to the Human Relations Commission," she said. Rizoli also applied for the Cable Advisory Committee, but selectmen did not fill the vacancy on that panel, saying they will wait until a study group is put together to look into a public access corporation to decide its fate. Rizoli and Rebecca Connelly were encouraged to go for that committee when its makeup is determined. Selectmen also made appointments to the Board of Health, Board of Public Works, Community Development Committee, Council on Aging, Cultural Council. Cushing Chapel Advisory Committee and Economic Development Industrial Corporation. Also getting new members were the Fair Housing Committee, Framingham Housing Partnership, Framingham Union Grants Panel, Historic District Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Tax Aid Fund Committee, and Water and Sewer Abatement Committee. For the first time, the board made the appointments to the Conservation, Disability and Historical Commissions, with Town Manager George King turning over his power after Town Meeting voted to switch the authority last month. The appointments for the Zoning Board of Appeals will be made after the panel votes on the proposed 150-unit low-income senior center project planned for Edmands Road called Shillman House. Selectmen also joined the library trustees in unanimously appointing Kurt Samuelson to replace Paul Carney, who moved, on the library panel.

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