County commissioners Scott Martin and Dennis Stuckey just want to save taxpayers a few bucks.

It's not hardness of heart that makes them question the need for the $470,000 human relations commission, but a philosophical commitment to fiscal restraint.

On behalf of taxpayers, they are asking a fair question: Why commit local dollars for civil rights when a state agency exists for that purpose? More to the point, why should Lancaster County fund a human relations commission when 63 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties don't?

At last Thursday's hearing, the commissioners heard why.

Speaker after speaker, often with compelling passion, said making civil rights education and enforcement a local priority saves money in the long run and is a commitment to justice and social harmony Lancaster County should celebrate, not begrudge.

Come to Lancaster County for our vistas, our food, our arts, our hospitality. But also come because in standing up for the American values of fairness and equal opportunity, Lancaster County is the rare community that puts its money where its mouth is.

Local pride

Our tax dollars, the speakers made clear, aren't buying mere feel-good symbolism. Our investment in civil rights, they said, is money well spent.

Our commission is fairer, more accessible, more professional and more apt to respond quickly than the state human relations commission, speakers said.

And it wasn't just local folks saying that. Stephen Glassman, who chairs the state commission, admitted that Lancaster County is doing a better job than his agency, especially in this time of budget slashing in Harrisburg.

"We simply do not have the staff to service 67 counties," said Glassman, pointing to the 127 cases the average investigator handles, four times the national average. "We cannot serve people in a timely fashion."

Kaaba Brunson, a regional director of the state agency, said his 39-county region is juggling 2,144 cases and the average case lingers 436 days compared to 198 days locally.

Several speakers said justice delayed for someone who lost a job or a home because of discrimination is often justice denied.

Justice also becomes more difficult to obtain when travel to Harrisburg is required, particularly for the poor, the elderly and the disabled, the very ones who are most likely to experience discrimination.

It wasn't just advocates of groups protected under the county's human relations ordinance who were calling on the commissioners to keep the local agency.

Troubling consequences

Kim Smith, representing The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said the state process imposes greater costs and time burdens on businesses and landlords defending themselves against complaints. She said one case at the state level took seven years to resolve.

The five-hour hearing gave the commissioners lots to think about.

But what if they go against the weight of the evidence? What if they go against the coalition of civic, religious, human service and business leaders who value a local jurisdiction for civil rights?

Carlos Graupera of Spanish American Civic Association said Lancaster County is an inclusive, welcoming place. But its reputation would be endangered by a decision to put budget cuts above civil rights.

He warned of division and a backlash that would put Lancaster in an unflattering light.

"Please," he implored the commissioners, "do not unintentionally — because I know it's not your intention — take us there."

jhawkes@lnpnews.com