http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/seven-more-members-selected-springfield-s-sogi-task-force_50728.mp3
Springfield City Council’s Public Involvement Committee selected seven members and two alternates for its Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Task Force Monday. Mayor Bob Stephens will review the selections, and Council could approve the full 18-member task force as early as December 17.
The Task Force will investigate the level of discrimination related to sexual orientation and gender identity in the city. They will also look into solutions to this discrimination. The Task Force will begin its work after the first of the year, and it has until June 30 to submit a report and make a recommendation to City Council.
The first eight members of the Task Force were selected and approved last Thursdayby the Mayor and Council members.
The Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Task Force members selected today include:
• Jeff Houghton, a copywriter for the Marlin Network Deep
• Rick McLain, the president of REDICO, LLC, an electrical contracting business, has been involved with various community organizations, some through his church
• Gary Whitaker, the owner and publisher of 417 Magazine, has been involved in several organizations including the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
• Ginger Holczer, a self-employed clinical psychologist, is formerly the chair of the Christian County Democrats club and co-founder of Neighbors Helping Neighbors of Christian County
• Pam Sailors, a professor and associate dean at Missouri State, has served on various ethics and health care committees
• Sarah Smith, a student at Missouri State, has worked with various community and campus organizations
• Steve Gardner, a retired instructional designer who serves on various boards including the Traffic Advisory Board
The two alternates are:
• Cindy Lear, the owner of Associates in Sign Language LLC, has been involved in several faith-based organizations
• Angela Filbeck, an employee of the Trust Company of the Ozarks, previously served as the vice president of the board of a yoga center