Does Chambersburg need its own local non-discrimination ordinance?
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  A majority of Americans tell pollsters they believe discrimination is a problem. Thats more controversial. A committee that includes three Chambersburg borough council members is meeting tonight to discuss a possible anti-discrimination ordinance. On the agenda: Carl Summerson, a hearing examiner with Pennsylvanias Human Relations Commission. I was delighted to be invited, Summerson told abc27 News ahead of the meeting. News delivered to your inbox: subscribe to abc27s daily newsletter  The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act has a list of protected categories, and there are categories that are not covered by the act, Summerson said. He said discrimination can impact anyone  not only members of racial, ethnic and gender minorities. A big one is genetic information. Thats on the horizon. Thats federally protected but not here in the state, he said. Or a single mother with two children applies for a position of employment and is denied that because she has a family, he said, because discrimination on the basis of familial status is prohibited in Pennsylvania in matters of housing but not employment. Brice Williams, a board member of the Franklin County Coalition for Progress, said we are still seeing a great deal of discrimination here in Chambersburg but welcomes the council committee, which includes council members Kathy Leedy, Michael Herbert and Heath Talhelm. Thus far, I feel like what theyve been doing has been very beneficial for the members of borough council  at least, those who are on this committee, Williams said. He made that distinction about those on this committee because another council member, Allen Coffman, was reprimanded in May by a 6-4 majority of his peers for  in their view  violating existing prohibitions on discrimination by borough leaders, employees and contractors. Coffmans interactions over email with a woman  Dr. Rachel Day, a dermatologist who identifies as bi-racial  who wrote to council members supporting the idea of a borough-wide non-discrimination ordinance. In her message, she included an assertion that history has shown that rural conservative areas have fostered oppression, excluded and marginalized minority groups within their mainstream society.  In the reply that led to the rebuke, Coffman said: I am curious as to why you would want to move to such a conservative area such as Chambersburg.  Coffman didnt immediately reply Wednesday to an abc27 request for comment about the council committee and the possibility of a non-discrimination ordinance. Previously, he told Chambersburg-based WEEO-NewsTalk 103.7 FM: In the very opening line  of her information she sent to the borough, let me read the first sentence: I would first like to make it clear that I believe in free speech and every persons right to have their own views. Thats the first sentence. I expressed the views that I have about this borough. Thats what called free speech. Im sorry. Thats what it is.