BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A proposal by a councilman to create a Hispanic Heritage Committee drew criticism at the Bloomfield Township Council conference meeting Monday night.
Councilman Carlos Pomares deferred his proposal, which was listed on the agenda, before any discussion took place, because he said he is still putting together committee members. But two members of the Bloomfield Cultural Commission spoke during the public hearing, saying a committee dedicated to one ethnic group was not a good idea.
Michelle Davidson, the BCC chairperson, told the council that the cultural commission already covers all nationalities and interest groups in town. She said she did not understand the need to create a Hispanic Heritage Committee.
“Creating silos like this will be divisive, in my opinion,” Davidson said.
Madeline Wollner, the BCC secretary pro tem, said the commission was in the planning stages for an event that would celebrate Bloomfield diversity.
“Why reinvent the wheel?” she said.
Following the meeting, Davidson said there were several ethnic organization in town, privately funded. She mentioned UNICO, the Italian service organization, and Fil-Am, a Filipino organization.
“These organizations were not appointed by the town or on its budget,” she said. “I think that’s improper.”
Wollner said the event the BCC is planning will be townwide. She said the commission has received a grant of $1,920, from the Essex County Local Arts Program, that will be matched by the township.
Davidson said the matching funds were the first time the commission has received any township money.
“We are a town commission created by order of the town,” she said. “To date, we don’t get anything from the town, until now with this grant. We are inclusive, not exclusive.”
Pomares said the idea of the committee occurred to him during Hispanic Heritage Month last year. He said the township did not do much to contribute to the celebration.
“It got me to thinking we don’t have that mechanism,” he said after the meeting. “Hispanics cover a lot of people.”
Pomares said his intent is to establish a committee that would have an organized voice during Hispanic Heritage Month, but also have representation at other township festivals.
“Hispanic incorporates various groups,” he said. “It’s really encompassing. On the surface, some people may not realize Hispanic means various groups and cultures from Central and South America, and the Caribbean.”
As for any criticism directed at his proposal, he said perhaps other groups should consider having heritage committees. He did, however, acknowledge that the proposed committee might have a budget which would be provided by the township. But he did not think a Hispanic committee would have any political ambitions. And any township committee, he said, could be used politically, too.
“I don’t see it as a political effort,” he said. “I see it as giving to various groups a voice to the community.”
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