KENNEWICK (AP) — Kennewick this week seated its first diversity commission in an attempt to put the uproar over a Facebook post by one of its council members behind it.

The Tri-City Herald reports the panel's mission is to identify ways Kennewick can be more welcoming to people of all ethnicities.

The first gathering was largely devoted to introductions, but the five women and two men and their facilitator will examine Kennewick's relationship with minorities and develop a plan to improve.

The city created the commission in consultation with Latino organizations in March after Councilman Bob Parks outraged some with a personal Facebook posting that seemed to disparage Latinos.

The posts are no longer public.

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