The ad hoc committee decided on several steps to take during their next meeting. A private consultant will be hired to evaluate the affirmative action plan. The committee will discuss possible candidates in their next meeting, when city staff are scheduled to make a presentation on equal opportunity issues. Many sub-committee members were cooperative with Gainesville residents and said the overall feeling of the meeting was positive. But Chuck Floyd, who has attended previous commission meetings on the subject, said that has not been the case during past commission meetings.
Perception is reality.
Mayor-Commissioner Ed Jennings said he is determined to work the problem out and change that perception. I've been on the commission for two years, and I'd like for this to be done by the time I'm off.