Before a scheduled vote, Bill 54 was removed from the Dec. 6 agenda of the Lehigh County Commissioners meeting due to Commissioner Zach Cole-Borghi’s withdrawal as sponsor and no other commissioner stepping forward to become one.

The purpose of the bill was to create a human relations commission across the county to investigate discrimination cases.

Retiring Commissioner Bob Elbich expressed his views should a future board decide to move forward on this initiative.

When the bill was first introduced, he told his colleagues he had said, “Why don’t we push this forward in the actual hearings and so forth, for any issues to the state human relations commission.”

Elbich reaffirmed his belief on this being the right approach, especially if the state gets involved in investigating some cases, as it will save money for the taxpayers in the county.

A grant of over $25,000 to Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, earmarked to provide Safe House emergency shelter and other safety and supportive services to help victims of domestic violence, received full board approval.

It also provided the backdrop for a discussion about both domestic violence and recognizing the invaluable work of the employees of this nonprofit organization to support those in need.

In expressing his support in the work of Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, Commissioner Dave Harrington said, “It is there to give support to the most vulnerable people during the most vulnerable points of their lives.” Commissioner Zakiya Smalls made the point, “Turning Point provides a safe haven for women and children that have experienced the unfortunate domestic violence issues. The psychological issues that follow along with that. What they provide is not just a safe haven but a homelike environment for these women and their children to begin the process of healing.”

Smalls also commended the work Turning Point of Lehigh Valley did during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure not only safety from abusers, but also from the virus.

Commissioner Cole-Borghi made the point employees of this nonprofit have an important job and their strength to help those in need must be recognized.

“I commend the people who work at Turning Point,” Cole-Borghi said. “Just think about ... It’s tough what they are going through, with the people who are receiving these services are going through. The people working there get to come home every day hearing these stories and then come back to work the next day. And I commend them for their strength to go through this and be able to put on that face and give that strength. The reason why is that a lot of their employees now went through this in the past, and they are able to provide that support that is needed.”

During the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Turning Point of Lehigh Valley helped 3,480 individuals with support services and 3,447 calls were answered on the 24/7 helpline. The Safe House sheltered 337 survivors and their children.