SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — For the first time, the Sullivan County human rights director will have a full-time position. But the county will probably not be able to investigate local human rights complaints.

The legislature has expressed interest in reestablishing the county’s authority to investigate local complaints, most of which pertain to housing or employment discrimination. But the only way for a county to conduct local investigations is to establish an independent office that assumes all the duties and responsibilities of the NYS Division of Human Rights. 

Thomas Cawley, the county parliamentarian, said Sullivan has not had this authority since the early 2000s. The special letter agreement that once provided it no longer exists, he said. 

The state human rights division currently investigates local complaints.

Cawley said Westchester County has its own commission but also has a far larger tax base than Sullivan does. He said an independent county human rights commission would be a liability and cost burden for Sullivan County, and would pose a conflict if a complaint were filed against the county itself.

Focus on education

The human rights director position has been vacant since the last director, Adrienne Jensen, a part-timer, resigned in March 2023. She said she’d been working full-time hours, and that the job should be a full-time position.

She told the legislature that support for the position did not meet its needs.

“There is far more education work that needs to occur regarding human rights in this county,” she said. “Both literally and figuratively, the office size and support do not meet the immense need for the position in this county.”

Cawley said the move to full-time might attract more and better applicants.

Legislator Cat Scott (D-5) said many people are unaware of their rights, particularly when it comes to housing. Hiring someone to inform the public would help fend off complaints. 

Legislator Amanda Ward (R-8), a former president of the Sullivan County NAACP, said she wants the director focused on promoting a better life in Sullivan County. The director’s objective should be educational and reduce the number of inequities, and claims, she said. 

Legislator Nicholas Salomone Jr. (R-4) said he was hesitant about making the position full-time but was supportive knowing that community education will be part of the role. 

Julie Diescher, the commissioner of human resources, will come up with a proposed salary after looking at the pay for the same position in three neighboring counties.

The legislature will change local law to detail the director’s duties and supervisor, as well as the terms guiding the service of commission members, who will be volunteers from each district. 

Resident Sandra Cellular-Oxford, who has worked closely with past human rights directors, advised against having the director report to the county manager. “You may need a firewall between the county government and whoever sits in that seat for justice.”