Ethnic strategic plan called a starting point

Leaders of the state's ethnic advisory councils aren't saying that the Utah Office of Ethnic Affairs' new strategic plan is perfect. But they are saying the multifaceted plan that addresses areas from education to economic development is a start.

Bev Uipi, vice chairwoman of the Pacific Islander Advisory Council, said the plan is "something that's actually tangible.

"There's really no choice; we have to move forward with it," she said. "It's a foundation, a starting point for us, finally."

The ethnic councils serve as liaisons between the Office of Ethnic Affairs and the ethnic communities and are charged with keeping the governor informed on state agencies' responsiveness to ethnic concerns.

Ron Stallworth, chairman of the Black Advisory Council, said he has concerns about the plan but he's willing to work with it.

"It's up to us . . . to see this successfully implemented," Stallworth said of himself and other advisory council members.

"This strategic plan is not perfect," Stallworth said. "The Advisory Councils are there to support it. We have a right to question and advocate for change."

Carl Hernandez, vice chairman of the Hispanic/Latino Advisory Council, said the plan has "merit" in that it creates a blueprint for the office to organize its efforts.

"I hope there is flexibility to make changes as necessary as the ethnic offices move through the different points they've identified," he said. "I think the consultation with advisory councils is important as they move through their efforts."

However, Gonzalo Palza, a member of the Hispanic Advisory Council and Proyecto Latino de Utah, said the strategic plan is so "dispersed as to make the entire plan ineffective."

Palza said a Proyecto Latino analysis of the strategic plan revealed that many of its 37 points have limited impact on the community as a whole. He pointed to a Spanish translation of the Utah Business Link, which is still under development.

"I personally feel very few ethnic minorities will be able to benefit from that," Palza said. "They are diluting the effectiveness of strategic plans by including too many small and dispersed objectives."

Hernandez said the ethnic advisory councils should be able to keep their advocacy roles under the new administration, while the ethnic offices work with state agencies.