Monterey Park : Affirmative Action Plan

The City Council has scheduled an Oct. 8 workshop to discuss an affirmative action proposal that would include a study of the ethnic makeup in City Hall to determine whether any groups are underrepresented; timetables to correct any imbalances, and ways to attract more minority job applicants.

Councilwoman Judy Chu said Monday that she was “really surprised” to find out that the city has never had an official affirmative action program. She called for a program to recruit minorities.

But council member Sam Kiang said he wanted a more far-reaching proposal. He suggested implementing a policy adopted in 1973 that calls for a program “of whatever scope necessary to eradicate the effects of past discrimination.”