[Massplanners] Juneteenth Follow Up

Thu Mar 24 16:44:53 EDT 2022

Hello, we met yesterday.

I haven’t been following the Juneteenth list discussion. It’s a federal and state holiday. What are people trying to figure out about that?

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From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> on behalf of Williams, Jacinta via MassPlanners <massplanners at masscptc.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2022 4:30:29 PM
To: Elijah Romulus <eromulus at ocpcrpa.org>; Gwen Miller <gmiller at townoflenox.com>; A.Michel <alleymichel at gmail.com>; Liz Allard <lallard at harvard-ma.gov>
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Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Juneteenth Follow Up

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Hi Liz,

After seeing the conversation taking place here regarding Juneteenth, our supervisor checked in with Human Resources and was given the following link which was shared internally among our department.  However, I thought it might be of some help to everyone here as well.

Massachusetts Legal Holidays (state.ma.us)<https://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cishol/holidx.htm>

You can thank Patty for investigating.

[jacinta pvpc email sig outlook]

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Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2022 3:11 PM
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Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Juneteenth Follow Up

Thank you for Allentza for articulating this.

Elijah Romulus

Senior Comprehensive Planner

tel (508) 583-1833 ext. 217

Old Colony Planning Council

70 School Street, Brockton, MA 02301 | fax (508) 559-8768

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Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Juneteenth Follow Up

I applaud this with vigor!

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Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Juneteenth Follow Up

Dear Liz and everyone,

Speaking personally, I wasn't concerned about the validity. I am glad that the discussion is being happened, but not surprised that there would dissent - of any kind, even the resistance to give staff another day off.

Some municipalities such as Cambridge, MA do a rotation of alternate holidays as off-days per year.

But I want to say a bit more about the significance of Juneteenth and why it should be simply regarded as a day to take off...

A network of planners of color, of which I am a part, was discussing this. We talked about, as Raul spoke to, the importance of making sure that rather than simply having a day off, there ought to be mandatory learning opportunities involved.

I know of many prominent leaders (heads of institutions, even in Congress), who, prompted after the murder of George Flloyd and the protests, had shared with me they never even knew about Juneteenth before. I wish I was shocked but I wasn't. My response each time was that they should make a concerted effort to educate themselves and their peers about it.

Most holidays were created to allow people to participate in community events of remembrance, education, and emulation. It validates the events or people involved in the memorial. Black American holidays have historically not been recognized in the US, and when they are, the focus tends to be celebratory more than reflective.

Much like how MLK Day became focused on community service in years after the holiday was passed, it is important that there be some form of education for people who don't understand what Juneteenth is all about.

If we are to heal as a country, part of the racial justice work ahead of us is to ensure that there is enforcement around expanding one's cultural knowledge and awareness about the origins of these holidays and the social impact message they are intended for. This way, the holiday plays a role in forwarding tangible change efforts rather than another reinforcement of false-performative events and lip service.

I hope this helps you in your reflections.

Best,

Allentza Michel<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://sites.google.com/site/alleyscollectibleemporium__;!!CUhgQOZqV7M!xXOoMhum5OF8TyaPTyHdItEk8qAIRzld5-yF4QS1H7x4sOG21nZO39YB0J5J7193um5k7Q$>

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On Thu, Mar 24, 2022 at 1:52 PM Liz Allard via MassPlanners <massplanners at masscptc.org<mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org>> wrote:

Thank you everyone for your responses.

Unfortunately I need to ask further questions as there were a number of questions from the Personnel Board. Let me clear, no one is debating the validity of the holiday.  What is being debated is giving the employees another paid day off.

  1.  If Juneteenth has been accepted as a holiday, has it been added to the existing list of holidays or did it replace an existing holiday?
  2.  If accepted, what is now the total number of holidays observed each year in your community?
  3.  Is the holiday observed as a floating holiday? If so, are there stipulations as to a timeframe in which it must be taken (such as within 30 days)?
  4.  Is it considered a floating holiday with another holiday, in which you are allowed to take one or the other?  For example, you can take Patriots Day off, but not Juneteenth Day, or vice versa

Your assistance in answering these questions is very appreciated.

Liz Allard

Land Use Administrator/

Conservation Agent

Town of Harvard

13 Ayer Road

Harvard, MA 01451

978-456-4100 ext. 321

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Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Juneteenth Follow Up

Thank you all for the overwhelming, timely response. I was no help to Liz because I’m the guy who responds to a “See you Tuesday.” with a “Huh, what?”

Chris

=============================================

Christopher J. Ryan, AICP

Director of Community and Economic Development

Town of Harvard

13 Ayer Road

Harvard, MA  01451

Tel: 978.456.4100 x.323

Email: cryan at harvard-ma.gov<mailto:cryan at harvard-ma.gov>

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Subject: [Massplanners] Juneteenth Follow Up

Hi all,

Asking this for our Conservation Agent:

This question was asked previously, however a search of the results only show 2 communities that have accepted Juneteenth Day as an observed holiday.

I am asking again for a response to this question as it is up for discussion at our personnel board meeting next week.

Thank you in advance for your responses.

=============================================

Christopher J. Ryan, AICP

Director of Community and Economic Development

Town of Harvard

13 Ayer Road

Harvard, MA  01451

Tel: 978.456.4100 x.323

Email: cryan at harvard-ma.gov<mailto:cryan at harvard-ma.gov>

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**Please note new email address and domain as of 9/1/21

email is now cryan at harvard-ma.gov<mailto:cryan at harvard-ma.gov>. Please change in your

contacts list.

=============================================

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