DECATUR - The city's Human Relations Commission has been short a commissioner for several months, and while efforts are under way to bring on a new member, some commissioners are worried that the community isn't aware enough of the group.

Human rights officer Mark Barthelemy spoke with the Herald & Review about the challenges the commission faces in recruiting a new member and making the services and remedies it provides known to citizens.

"The thing that we're concerned with most is that there seems to be a lack of knowledge that the commission exists, that it's even here to begin with or that it even has any power or authority to deal with some of these claims," Barthelemy said.

The commission can investigate and make rulings on issues of discrimination, Barthelemy said. The group deals most often with employment issues such as discrimination in hiring, firing or promotion practices, but it can also look into discrimination in housing or renting situations.

Phyllis McPherron, another commissioner and chairwoman of the commission's public relations and education committee, said the unit is trying to reach out to different groups in the community to make its presence more known.

"The public relations and education committee is looking at various ways to let people know what discrimination under the law is, what the commission does and the procedure," McPherron said.

Barthelemy said the commission hasn't fielded any complaints about housing situations, despite hearing of many. Barthelemy said citizens might file complaints if they knew more about what the commission can do for them.

The commission has subpoena power and the ability to make judgments against persons or companies that show discrimination, including payment of damages to plaintiffs in the form of back pay and covering their legal fees. Barthelemy said the commission also has a considerably shorter backlog of cases than federal or state human rights agencies, meaning citizens can get results sooner.

A new commissioner would be appointed by the mayor and city council, Barthelemy said. The commission has made efforts to get the word out about the open position and what the commission's role is.

People who want more information on the commission can call 424-2805.

klowe@herald-review.com|421-7985