VALPARAISO | The city's Human Relations Council is working to define its mission so that it can be a leader in promoting diversity and not just a group that, in the words of several members, "gets together and talks to each other."

The council discussed its role Tuesday and seemed to agree the city administration needs to be seen as actively promoting diversity among all its employees in all departments. This includes providing diversity training to all employees, possibly as part of the ethics training. Only the police department is required to have annual diversity training now.

Council Member Gail Carmona cited news stories of racial attacks in other cities against those of Hispanic backgrounds that might have been generated because of all the hysteria over illegal immigrants. She warned the situation will only get worse as the economy worsens because people tend to look for scapegoats for their problems.

Police Chief Michael Brickner said Mayor Jon Costas formed the council because he wants the city to take the leadership role and be proactive in the community on this issue.

"If it comes from the city, it will make a statement," Brickner said. "We should post a statement of inclusiveness in all departments that certain behavior will not be tolerated and make sure there is accountability for such actions. There will be a trickle down effect to the rest of the community."

Councilman Art Elwood, who is a city firefighter, said he has worked for the city for a long time and only received diversity training four times. He's never gotten ethics training, he said.

"We have to stop talking about our private stories and get into a higher gear," Elwood said.

Paul Schreiner, who worked with Costas and council Chairman Ivan Bodensteiner to form the group, said, "I felt from the first moment this body was envisioned that our role would be to help the mayor work with the community. We are capable of leading the community to a better place with regard to how we treat each other."

Several members said more education and communication is needed. Suggestions included celebrating the holidays, the music, the foods and other facets of all cultures in the schools and at community events. Instead of giving high school students the option of attending Martin Luther King Day ceremonies at Valparaiso University, the schools should provide buses for those who want to attend.

Tracy Trout said the diversity training needs to deal with the cultures of the different socioeconomic groups as well, looking at the differences between the "haves" and the "have-nots." Carmona suggested holding a cultural day at the schools similar to career days, when people from different cultures could go to the classrooms to talk about their beliefs and activities and answer questions.

Bodensteiner said he would draft some goals to present to the group for inclusion in its mission statement, and those could be discussed at the next meeting.