COUNCIL TOUTS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION\2nd round of criticism aimed at proposed initiative to end programs.Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer For the second time, the Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. came out Wednesday against a measure that would end affirmative-action programs by government agencies. Council members roundly round·ly adv. 1. In the form of a circle or sphere. 2. With full force or vigor; thoroughly: applauded roundly; was roundly criticized. criticized the California Civil Rights Initiative in debate marked by the walkout of Councilman Hal Bernson Hal Bernson served as Los Angeles City Councilman for the 12th district. He was chair of the Transportation Committee. Prior to being on the City Council, he served in the Navy. Preceded by Robert M. , who said the council was making it a partisan issue. The CCRI CCRI Community College of Rhode Island CCRI California Civil Rights Initiative CCRI Central Cotton Research Institute (Pakistan) CCRI Columbus Children's Research Institute CCRi Children's Clinical Research Institute has not yet qualified for the November ballot, but a spokeswoman said supporters have collected about 800,000 signatures to be submitted by the deadline next week. Proponents need 649,000 valid signatures by Wednesday to make the ballot. "CCRI will interfere with the city's right to create the kind of programs we have," Councilman Joel Wachs Joel Wachs served for several terms as Los Angeles City Councilman for the 2nd district. He was first elected by defeating incumbent James B. Potter. While in office, Wachs chaired the Public Works Committee and vice-chair of the Environmental Quality & Waste Management said during spirited debate. "We have an affirmative-action program that brings in workers who reflect the diversity of the city. No quotas. No set-asides. None of the things proponents of CCRI say we have," Wachs said. Bernson walked out after Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg Jackie Goldberg (born June 16, 1937) is an American politician and teacher, and a member of the Democratic Party. She is a former member of the California State Assembly. said the measure was being advanced by the Republican Party to use as a wedge issue wedge issue n. A sharply divisive political issue, especially one that is raised by a candidate or party in hopes of attracting or disaffecting a portion of an opponent's customary supporters. in November's election. Goldberg noted the Republican Party voted last weekend to set aside $1 million to help in the CCRI campaign. "This is not a party issue, this is a human issue," said Bernson, one of the council's two registered Republicans. "I have voted for every affirmative-action program this city has engaged in and I still support those. "I am not prepared to come out against this today," he said. "What I am hearing is that we're saying it's OK to discriminate against someone because someone else was discriminated against. I don't think any kind of discrimination is OK." Joe Gelman, the former CCRI campaign manager and former city civil service commissioner, who was asked to resign last year, urged the council not to take a stand on the issue. "You are embarking on a path that will not only put you on the wrong side of history, it will officially put you on record as opposing real and meaningful equality in the state of California," said Gelman, who resigned as CCRI backers struggled to raise money. "No matter how well intentioned you may think you are, by advocating group preferences, you are poisoning group relations in this city." |
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