Dan Hust | Democrat Sullivan County Human Rights Commission Chair Judy Balaban and Executive Director Eric Monroe speak with legislators on Thursday about creating a local law allowing the Commission to raise and keep funds. The agency is holding a brunch May 19 to honor locals who have led the fight for human rights in the area. Noted activist and equal justice advocate Eileen Haworth Weil of Summitville will have a scholarship unveiled in her memory.

Human Rights brunch will pay tribute to Eileen Haworth Weil

By Dan Hust
MONTICELLO — April 9, 2013 — Preparing to hold its first-annual scholarship fundraising brunch, the Sullivan County Human Rights Commission (HRC) is seeking permission from the County Legislature to actually raise - and keep - those funds.
"If we raise funds now and it goes into our account and we don't spend it this year," explained HRC Chair Judy Balaban, "it goes back into the [county government's] General Fund."
But legislators can agree, if they wish, to pass a local law allowing HRC to have a dedicated account where donations can be accumulated and used in perpetuity for Commission efforts.
Whether legislators will do so remains to be seen. However, even if they do act quickly, it won't be in time for the May 19 brunch.
So in the meantime, HRC has already set up a separate bank account with its own tax ID for the upcoming brunch, to be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Eagle's Nest in Bloomingburg. The $40-per-person ticket price isn't tax-deductible, but all funds will remain with the HRC and be used for a new scholarship.
The event is in honor of the late Eileen Haworth Weil of Summitville (in whose name the memorial scholarship has been created), HRC-founder Emmett Bassett, "green guru" Dick Riseling, and Teamsters Local 445 union business agent Sandy Shaddock.
Ellenville NAACP President Maude Bruce will be the keynote speaker.
For more information, email Kathie Aberman at kmaberman@gmail. com.
To simply make a donation, write a check to the Eileen Haworth Weil Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Sullivan County Human Rights Commission, 100 North Street, P.O. Box 5012, Monticello, NY 12701.