5/6/14 - It was standing room only at the Fenton City Council meeting Monday night, as community leaders and residents discussed passing a non-discrimination ordinance. The proposed ordinance would make withholding employment, housing and public services based on sexual orientation a civil offense. Council member Brad Jacobs who brought the issue to the agenda says non-discrimination laws at the state and federal levels leave some gaps. Passing an all-inclusive ordinance locally could help close those and deter discrimination. Mark Hamel, owner of The French Laundry Restaurant tells WHMI the top 10% of students coming out of the best universities have their choice of jobs and cities to live in. "They are choosing cities that donât discriminate. They donât want to sit next to someone who can get fired simply because they are gay. They donât want to raise their families in communities that discriminate...If we want to attract people to our community, it makes sense..." to update the city's non-discrimination policies. After hearing from Hamel and members of Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or P-Flag, Mayor Sue Osborn requested city attorney Steve Schultz survey how other communities enforce similar ordinances and provide recommendation based upon the results. So far 32 Michigan municipalities have enacted similar statues. Schultz said the council should have something to review in the next month or two. (LR/JK)
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