Council rejects Kabat appointment of former city council president to Human Rights Commission

More turmoil associated with La Crosse’s Human Rights Commission.

The city council has refused to confirm mayor Tim Kabat’s latest appointment to the commission.

The person Kabat had in mind: Former city council president and La Crosse schools superintendent, Dick Swantz.

The problem, according to City council member Jacqueline Marcou who chairs the Human Rights Commission is that Swantz, as a white man, doesn’t really represent much diversity.

The mayor has said himself he would like the (Human Rights Commission) to work with our HR department to bring more diversity to city hall, to make us a more welcoming community to people of color,” said Marcou. “How can we do this if our commission does not include these marginalized groups we’re trying to advocate for?”

City council member Doug Happel worked with Swantz while he was La Crosse schools superintendent.

He cited Martin Luther King Jr. in defending his friend saying, “You judge people based on the content of their character, not the color of their skin.”

Four members of the commission resigned abruptly in February largely after frustrations with the city’s handling of housing discrimination complaints.