The Washington County Commissioners are considering dissolving the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. This item is on the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting with the discussion to be led by Michelle Gordon, County Administrator.
According to their website, “The mission of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee is to advise the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland on public policy relating to ethnic affairs, promote the involvement of all ethnic groups in business and community affairs, and advocate services and programs relating to the quality of life for all residents.”
The agenda states that their reasoning is “The need for this advisory committee has diminished and its continuing operation has become obsolescent and unnecessary.”
This is what your County Commissioners feel about diversity and inclusion!!!! They actually used the terms “obsolescent” and “unnecessary”!!!! Our County Commissioners have ZERO diversity on their own board, and very little on other committees.
Please consider doing the following:
1. Write to your commissioners and administrator letting them know the importance of having this committee. Here are their emails:
jbarr@washco-md.net
jcline@washco-md.net
rwagner@washco-md.net
wkeefer@washco-md.net
dharvey@washco-md.net
mgordon@washco-md.net
2. Attend tomorrow’s meeting to provide citizen’s comments. The meeting starts at 9AM with citizen participation on the agenda at 9:20AM. The meeting is held at the Washington County Administration Complex at 100 W. Washington St., Hagerstown, MD.
3. Apply to be considered for this and other committees. The website shows 3 vacancies for the Diversity and Inclusion Committee (if the website is current). Here is the application to apply: https://www.washco-md.net/county-clerk/coclerk-bandc-applic/
We must resist any attempts by the County Commissioners to dismantle diversity and inclusion efforts as these initiatives are essential in creating a fair and inclusive community where all members feel valued and respected. Our collective voices have power, let’s make sure they hear us loud and clear!
@naacp@mscnaacp@marylandnaacpyc@govwesmoore
