<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">Dear Liz and everyone,<div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>Some municipalities such as Cambridge, MA do a rotation of alternate holidays as off-days per year. </div><div><br></div><div>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...</div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>I hope this helps you in your reflections.</div><div><br></div><div>Best,</div><div><br></div><div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><b><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/alleyscollectibleemporium" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank"><font color="#0000ff">Allentza Michel</font></a></b></div><div><font color="#000000">Urban Planning & Policy | Arts | Civic Design | EDI</font></div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)"><a href="http://www.powerfulpathways.org/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Powerful Pathways</a></div><div><span style="color:rgb(80,0,80)"><div><font color="#000000">617 819 4783</font></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Thu, Mar 24, 2022 at 1:52 PM Liz Allard via MassPlanners <<a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org">massplanners@masscptc.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div dir="ltr">
<div style="font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(12,100,192)">
Thank you everyone for your responses.</div>
<div style="font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(12,100,192)">
<div style="margin:0px;font-size:15px;color:rgb(32,31,30);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">
<p style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">
<span style="margin:0px;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(12,100,192)"><br>
</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">
<span style="margin:0px;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(12,100,192)">Unfortunately I need to ask further questions as there were a number of questions from the Personnel Board. </span><span style="color:rgb(12,100,192);font-size:12pt">Let me clear, no one
is debating the validity of the holiday. What is being debated is giving the employees another paid day off.</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(12,100,192)">
<ol style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">
<li style="font-size:12pt"><span style="margin:0px">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? </span></li><li style="font-size:12pt"><span style="margin:0px;font-size:12pt">If accepted, what is now the total number of holidays observed each year in your community? </span></li><li>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)? </li><li>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</li></ol>
Your assistance in answering these questions is very appreciated.</div>
<div style="font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(12,100,192)">
<br>
</div>
<div id="gmail-m_-3835356220224620696Signature">
<div>
<div></div>
<div style="font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<span style="color:rgb(12,100,192);font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif">Liz Allard
</span>
<div><span style="color:rgb(12,100,192);font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif">Land Use Administrator/</span></div>
<div><span style="color:rgb(12,100,192);font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif">Conservation Agent
</span></div>
<div><span style="color:rgb(12,100,192);font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif">Town of Harvard</span></div>
<div><span style="color:rgb(12,100,192);font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif">13 Ayer Road</span></div>
<div><span style="color:rgb(12,100,192);font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif">Harvard, MA 01451</span></div>
<span style="color:rgb(12,100,192);font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif">978-456-4100 ext. 321</span><br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="gmail-m_-3835356220224620696appendonsend"></div>
<hr style="display:inline-block;width:98%">
<div id="gmail-m_-3835356220224620696divRplyFwdMsg" dir="ltr"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size:11pt" color="#000000"><b>From:</b> MassPlanners <<a href="mailto:massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org" target="_blank">massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org</a>> on behalf of Christopher Ryan via MassPlanners <<a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org" target="_blank">massplanners@masscptc.org</a>><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 22, 2022 1:25 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Massplanners Listserv (<a href="mailto:MassPlanners@masscptc.org" target="_blank">MassPlanners@masscptc.org</a>) <<a href="mailto:MassPlanners@masscptc.org" target="_blank">MassPlanners@masscptc.org</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Massplanners] Juneteenth Follow Up</font>
<div> </div>
</div>
<div lang="EN-US" style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">
<div>
<p>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?”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Chris</p>
<p> </p>
<div>
<p>=============================================</p>
<p><b>Christopher J. Ryan, AICP</b></p>
<p>Director of Community and Economic Development</p>
<p>Town of Harvard</p>
<p>13 Ayer Road</p>
<p>Harvard, MA 01451</p>
<p>Tel: 978.456.4100 x.323</p>
<p>Email: <a href="mailto:cryan@harvard-ma.gov" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">cryan@harvard-ma.gov</span></a></p>
<p>Web: <a href="http://www.harvard-ma.gov/" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">http://www.harvard-ma.gov</span></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><b><span style="font-size:9pt">**</span></b><span style="font-size:9pt">Please note new email address and domain as of 9/1/21</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:9pt">email is now <a href="mailto:cryan@harvard-ma.gov" target="_blank">
<span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">cryan@harvard-ma.gov</span></a>. Please change in your</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:9pt">contacts list.</span></p>
<p>=============================================</p>
<p> </p>
</div>
<p> </p>
<div>
<div style="border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-top:1pt solid rgb(225,225,225);padding:3pt 0in 0in">
<p><b>From:</b> MassPlanners <<a href="mailto:massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org" target="_blank">massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Christopher Ryan via MassPlanners<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 22, 2022 12:42 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Massplanners Listserv (<a href="mailto:MassPlanners@masscptc.org" target="_blank">MassPlanners@masscptc.org</a>) <<a href="mailto:MassPlanners@masscptc.org" target="_blank">MassPlanners@masscptc.org</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Massplanners] Juneteenth Follow Up</p>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p>Hi all,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Asking this for our Conservation Agent:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(12,100,192)">This question was asked previously, however a search of the results only show 2 communities that have accepted Juneteenth Day as an observed holiday.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(12,100,192)"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(12,100,192)">I am asking again for a response to this question as it is up for discussion at our personnel board meeting next week.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(12,100,192)"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(12,100,192)">Thank you in advance for your responses.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>=============================================</p>
<p><b>Christopher J. Ryan, AICP</b></p>
<p>Director of Community and Economic Development</p>
<p>Town of Harvard</p>
<p>13 Ayer Road</p>
<p>Harvard, MA 01451</p>
<p>Tel: 978.456.4100 x.323</p>
<p>Email: <a href="mailto:cryan@harvard-ma.gov" target="_blank">cryan@harvard-ma.gov</a></p>
<p>Web: <a href="http://www.harvard-ma.gov/" target="_blank">http://www.harvard-ma.gov</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><b><span style="font-size:9pt">**</span></b><span style="font-size:9pt">Please note new email address and domain as of 9/1/21</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:9pt">email is now <a href="mailto:cryan@harvard-ma.gov" target="_blank">
cryan@harvard-ma.gov</a>. Please change in your</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:9pt">contacts list.</span></p>
<p>=============================================</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
-- <br>
MassPlanners mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:MassPlanners@masscptc.org" target="_blank">MassPlanners@masscptc.org</a><br>
<a href="http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org</a><br>
</blockquote></div></div>