Posted on 07/13/2005 4:22:03 AM PDT by Theodore R.
City could be liable with CFD - lawyer A civil rights trial lawyer said the absence of women on the Cheyenne Frontier Days General Committee could be proof in court of discrimination.
By Kelly Milner rep7@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
CHEYENNE - In a court of law, the absence of a woman on the Cheyenne Frontier Days General Committee could be used as evidence of sexual discrimination.
That's according to Trish Bangert, a Denver University law professor and trial lawyer who specializes in civil rights.
Bangert spoke to the City Council at the end of Monday's meeting about the possibility the city could be liable with CFD should someone sue the volunteer organization for sexual discrimination.
Bangert came at the request of City Councilman Pete Laybourn who has introduced a resolution saying CFD is violating its lease with the city by discriminating against women.
The lease between the city and CFD contains an anti-discrimination clause.
A woman has never been part of the CFD General Committee. One woman is on the CFD Board of Directors.
"This is a volunteer organization with 2,000 volunteers, many of them women," Bangert said. "Yet no woman has gotten to the place where she's on the General Committee."
Bangert's legal analysis states that she understands one woman who expressed a desire to serve on the General Committee was refused.
Tucker Fagan, head of CFD's Board of Directors, said last week that women have been offered positions on the General Committee but did not accept.
Bangert said she wasn't there to attack or condemn anyone, but to remind them about the state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination and the possibility of liability issues facing the city in the matter.
City Councilman Tom Segrave said, "I totally disagree with some of the comments in your factual background. I don't think you're right at all."
Mayor Jack Spiker and City Councilman Patrick Collins questioned if Bangert had any evidence of discrimination, saying there was a difference between the absence of women and refusing to allow them to be on the committee.
Bangert said in the civil rights business, the fact that a woman has never been on the committee infers that a woman hasn't been allowed.
"I could take that fact and use it as evidence in court that there has been discrimination," she said. "Statistics alone can be evidence."
While CFD and the city could respond with evidence showing women have refused to be part of the General Committee, that would have to be shown in court
"You're still there in front of the jury and that's my concern," she said.
Bangert offered suggestions in her analysis that could remedy the situation.
"I'm not here to say oh, bad Cheyenne Frontier Days, because I think it's wonderful," Bangert said. "All I'm trying to do is tell you that there may be some problems in the future, problems that can be avoided fairly easily."
Bangert's suggestions include: A written policy that CFD will not discriminate, designating someone to monitor compliance with that policy, creation of a grievance procedure and regular reports to the city about grievances that are made and its compliance with the policy.
City Councilman Don Pierson said Bangert's testimony should take place next week at the Committee of the Whole meeting, where Laybourn's resolution will be discussed.
Spiker said, "It is rather unfair that we're hearing one side of the story. They can't be here to defend themselves tonight.
But CFD General Committee Chairman Ken McCann was in the audience. McCann said Monday they continue to deny the sexual discrimination charge and look forward to the discussion at next week's Committee of the Whole.
Bangert said she and Laybourn have mutual friends. Bangert said she was not charging Laybourn or anyone else for her time.
OK. A show of hands please...
Anybody who thinks the woman "refused" is not behind this effort by Bangert, please raise your hand...
Anybody?
< crickets>
Anybody at all?
IMHO, the CFD rejected this woman because she is a litigious jerk, and she is now proving their point.
Sort of like the old mafia protection racket line. "Nice business you got here. Hate to see anththing happen to it."
I guess the absence of women bucking bronco riders (at least, I haven't seen any) is also evidence of discrimination.
Apparently, this lawyer doesn't even consider that the fact that women might not be interested. Of course, that isn't a possibility at all.
I also don't see women driving trash trucks. Is that also sexual discrimination?
Probably because she was too busy raising a family.
Oh, boy, I don't what to be in trouble with the City Council. Any ladies out there want to help me out???
TS
If you don't know that I'm joking, read the tagline ... although that could imply that I'm sleeping alone.
Not intending to hurt any young lady's feelings here. Pointing out just how ludicrous this is.
Wouldn't take no for an answer either!
You have the right to remain silent Trish
Trish should be run out of town on a rail.
Women bucking(!) bronco riders... I'll be nice, but WHOA, what possibilities ;-P
Read post number 8 -- we could solve two problems at once!!
Civil Rights Extortion, plain and simple.
The only thing that could possibly explain that, given the number of those players in the NFL, is sexual discrimination!
Where's Johnny Cochran?... Oh yeah, he's dead. Well, I'm sure that there is some other lawyer who will take this case!
Mark
It is nice to finally hear one admit that civil rights are a business.
Bingo.
I grew up in Wyoming. I've seen girls ride, rope and buck. If a girl wants to do it, there's nothing stopping her.
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