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Lower Merion Winnowing Applicants For New Human Relations Board

LOWER MERION, Pa. (CBS) -- The Township of Lower Merion says it has twice as many applicants as available positions, as it moves toward setting up its own human relations commission.

Patricia Ryan (right), Lower Merion's assistant township manager, says the formation of a Human Relations Commission appears to be a first in Montgomery County, brought about by concerns voiced to township commissioners.

"Because the state legislation which has been in place for many years has a hole in it," Ryan explains.  "It really does not cover the civil rights of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered) community."

Ryan says there are 14 applicants for the seven unpaid spots on the commission.

"During the hearings we had over a period of months to create the commission, we had a number of people come out and say, 'Any help you need, we'll be there to do it.'  It's probably going to be very difficult to cull them down to just that seven," she told KYW Newsradio on Tuesday.

After candidate interviews and commissioner selections, the Lower Merion Human Relations Commission will get itself organized.

Reported by John Ostapkovich, KYW Newsradio 1060.

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