Minority report

DID THE VALLEY CLUB discriminate when it kicked out 56 African-American and Hispanic members of the Creative Steps camp, revoking an earlier agreement to let the kids swim? A report issued this week by the state's Human Relations Commission found probable cause that it did. The 34-page report meticulously documents the details of the case, which last summer riveted the region, and the country, as claims and counterclaims of overt discrimination were made.

The HRC report should have been a clarifying moment for a volatile and upsetting case. Unfortunately, early reports have created new confusion over what happens next, especially over the terms of a $50,000 penalty.

The report is actually the trigger for the 11- member commission to get involved in determining the outcome. Those commissioners will determine the penalty after a conciliation meeting among the parties, or, failing that, a public hearing. Much of the confusion might have been avoided if the commission had been more conscious of the public's interest -and stake -in the case and released a clearer explanation of its next steps. It should know that many will continue to watch this case closely.