Marathon County
The Executive Committee of the Marathon County Board will be voting on a resolution proposed by the Diversity Committee which was originally titled: “Marathon County – No Place for Hate.” After feedback from several concerned citizens and a few iterations of this resolution, it has now been renamed: “Marathon County – A Community for All.” The content is similar, as is the sentiment and the agenda behind it. As was stated during a county board educational presentation in the fall of 2020, if you, as a citizen of Marathon County do not agree with this resolution, you are guilty of bias, hatred, racism, sexism, etc. – the list goes on and on.
During the December 8, 2020 Diversity Committee meeting, Supervisor Alison Leahy stated: “The main purpose of this commission is to right wrongs, to get to a place of equality and equity…simply watering something down to make it more pleasing to those already in power…doesn’t serve this commission, county board or community.” Supervisor Bill Conway stated: “Difficult discussions are all part of being a grown up…some of us are, some of us – not so much.”
So evidently, those who do not agree with this resolution are not “grown ups” either. Is the purpose of a county board to “right wrongs?” How is that measurable or even achievable?
This resolution will be presented to the Executive Committee on January 14, 2021 at 4PM in the Marathon County Courthouse. Attend the meeting and sign up for public comments to state your opposition to this resolution. If you cannot attend, call or email your county board supervisor. Your written comments are subject to public view if they are requested in open records request. Be direct, be polite. Ask your supervisor to vote against the Diversity Resolution if it goes before the whole board. See page 6 of the full packet linked below. The stated goal is now to hire county employees with diverse characteristics, by checking the right boxes of gender, race, sexual orientation in order to be considered for the job.
Our county should be selecting employees based upon their merit and qualifications, not on their immutable characteristics.
In light of the recent actions of social media giants Facebook and Twitter, in the interest of “equality and equity,” shouldn’t this resolution contain language about protecting those with differences in political views as well?
RESOLUTION DECLARING MARATHON COUNTY “A COMMUNITY FOR ALL”
WHEREAS, the Marathon County Diversity Affairs Commission was charged by the Marathon County Board of Supervisors (the “Board”) to ensure that Marathon County is an open, inclusive, and diverse place to live and work and to achieve racial and ethnic equity to foster cross-cultural understanding and advocate for minority populations throughout Marathon County; and
WHEREAS, human diversity can be defined as differences in race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical and/or mental capabilities, and religious beliefs,; and
WHEREAS, the Board recognizes diversity, inclusion, and equity as essential to a positive and healthy life within our communities and is committed to the goals of ensuring that everyone is welcome within the county’s borders and the protection and preservation of the rights, freedoms, safety, and security of all its residents; and
WHEREAS, the Board acknowledges that disparity of opportunity and systemic inequality exist across our nation and within our community and holds as a core value that one of the keys to overcoming such inequalities is sufficient representation of diversity in our policies, practices, resource material, budgetary considerations, and staff; and
WHEREAS, as leaders of county government, the Board has a role in the creation of a community environment where all residents can celebrate and embrace their rich multicultural heritage without the fear of intimidation or hate-motivated violence.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Marathon County Board of Supervisors hereby proclaims Marathon County as “A Community For All” and rejects and condemns any hate-based activity or conduct directed to harm a person due to a person’s protected class; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity will be reflected in county affairs at all levels: in the local government culture; in behavior and actions of individual staff members, in the actions and perspectives of the County Board of Supervisors, and in the ways in which all policies are developed, researched, and implemented, in order to best serve all residents of Marathon County.
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