Purpose
Our purpose in analyzing the passage of the Montevallo Non-Discrimination Ordinance, an amendment to Article IV of Chapter 16 of Montevallo Municipal Code, is to examine the conflict which arose from the creation, debate, and passage of the amendment. By understanding the conflict regarding the Montevallo Non-Discrimination Ordinance, which expanded recognized minority groups protected against discrimination within the city of Montevallo, we can begin to understand the conflicts which can arise due to differences in belief and identity within the southeastern United States. This project will address differences in identities within the LGBTQIA+ community and their specific needs, as well as concepts such as the negotiation of value systems within our town and community efforts towards grassroots movements.
Our audience will be Montevallo community members, anyone interested in the concept of a non-discrimination ordinance, or conflicts surrounding LGBTQIA+ issues in the South. This website could also draw attention from individuals interested in city government cooperation alongside community groups and universities.
Website Layout & Tools
The main web page should include a brief explanation of the project, alongside multiple tabs which will be in order according to the narrative. The main web page should serve as the introduction and overview (abstract/synopsis) of the conflict and resolution. Subsequent web pages will be ordered to give a better understanding of the nature of the conflict. This will include a brief history of Montevallo, summaries of events such as town halls and forums, drafts of the non-discrimination ordinance and explanations of why changes were made to the amendment, and the final resolution which was passed by the city of Montevallo, and incorporated into the municipal code. This should provide an educational experience to anyone who is interested in understanding the way in which this conflict came about, the constructive ways in which the city government sought to include the entirety of the Montevallo community within the discussion.
Tools:
- Site theme is Twenty Fifteen
- Site Logo created by Lillian and Kendall through Canva
- Color scheme is black, white, and green.
We expect to use TimeLineJS by KnightLab for the history of Montevallo as well as the history and development of the non-discrimination ordinance. Audio will likely be edited with Audacity, should we record our interview. We will utilize WordPress media to upload .pdf documents which can be viewed through click-through links. Photos will come from primary and secondary sources (such as the Alabamian, our school newspaper, and photos taken by community members). Pictures will be displayed in Cincopa Gallery or uploaded directly through WordPress.
Schedule of Milestones
Milestone 1: March 7
- Identify and begin drafting website: set up theme, color scheme, and set up separate web pages for each narrative piece.
- Come up with definitive questions/form for questions, decide which interviews should be prioritized, done in person, through phone calls, or email.
- Dr. Holly Cost (current Mayor of Montevallo) – email interview
- Dr. Andrea Eckelman (professor of Political Science at UM, MPA representative) – in-person interview
- Erin Green (President of Spectrum, LGBTQIA+ group) – in-person interview
- Ms. Elaine Stephens (from MAP Steering Committee) – email interview
- Ms. Sally Smith (University Baptist representative, pro-NDO) – email interview
- Reverend Daniel Stallings (University Baptist Reverend, pro-NDO) – email interview
- Reverend Todd Burr (Dogwood Grove Baptist Church, anti-NDO) – email interview/phone interview
- Reverend Scott Fowler (Spring Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church, anti-NDO) – email interview/phone interview
*Already initiated seeking interviews with individuals who are italicised, interviews should be requested for those in bold.
Milestone 2: March 21
- Finalize categorization of information that does not require interviews, such as articles, photos, historical information, etc.
- Finalize web pages focused on the history of the City of Montevallo and the University of Montevallo. This will include a timeline of how the university has changed, demographics, information about the culture of the city, and photos of the University and the city.
- Finalize drafting web page focused on the necessity of the non-discrimination ordinance in Montevallo and web page focused on understanding the LGBTQ+ community and their specific needs within communities.
- Certify that all ‘borrowed’ work is cited and/or recognized under fair use laws. This includes having permissions for use of interviews filed with COPLAC.
- Finalize outline and design of the website should be made by this point. This should include the final color scheme, design elements, menus, and widgets.
- Majority of interviews should be scheduled by this milestone, and can be completed as necessary over Montevallo spring break (March 25th – 29th) in order to collaborate with city officials. Conflicting class schedules will be null as these interviews can be conducted at the best time for the city officials.
Milestone 3: April 4 (draft of project website)
- Review draft of website and review for comprehension, user friendliness, accessibility, and thorough and correct research.
- Confirm that Leah at COPLAC has received all of the necessary documents for interviews, media usage, etc.
Final Project Due: April 25
Distribution of Labor
Kendall
- historical write up about the city of Montevallo, the University of Montevallo and it’s evolution
- create design elements for the website, such as color scheme and certain elements that tie together the website
- contact Sally Smith and request interview
- create interview questions, and make them specific for each interviewee
- acquire demographics for the City of Montevallo through City Clerk’s office
- if we are able to record interviews, then writing up transcripts of audio recordings for ADA accessibility
Lillian
- schedule and conduct in-person interviews
- compile articles and other information from City Clerk notes
- create photo galleries and timelines, as well as any other media such as maps
- compile non-discrimination ordinance drafts and final resolution, distinguish between each one for clarity
- assist Kendall in narrative writing for historical information page
- research information regarding the LGBTQIA+ community to be used for web page specific to explaining the community, their needs, and relation to Montevallo