EDITOR:

Every time I think the Delta County Board of Commissioners cannot possibly do anything more outrageous, they prove me wrong. The meeting of July 18 was yet another example of why three of our sitting commissioners need to go.

The bigotry, racism, and hatred that Commissioners Barron, Moyle, and Petersen exhibited in their failure to pass a resolution of supporting UPCAP’s plan for providing services to the area’s elderly population may have reached a new low. UPAAA submitted a 50-page document outlining their plan for providing these services — services essential to the well-being of our elderly citizens. Because a single portion of the plan dealt with the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion, these three commissioners voted not to support it.

Commission Barron refers to the call for DEI as nothing more than critical race theory, which in his words “perpetuates the contempt and hatred for God, country, family, and oppression of straight, white, Christian men.” Yes, you read that correctly — by including people of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and sexual orientation, UPAAA is oppressing those who are not part of a minority community.

I distinctly remember Bible verses telling us to “love our neighbor,” “treat others as we wish to be treated.” Jesus himself (who, by the way, was not a white Christian man) directed us to be a friend to the marginalized and to those of different races and nationalities. To refer to a plan that includes doing exactly that as being contemptuous or hateful of God is not only offensive but also completely delusional.

Commissioner Barron went on to further call out provisions of the plan which referred to members of the LBGTQ community. He claimed that members of that community were chanting: “We’re here, we’re queer, and we’re coming to your children” during the Pride celebration recently — a chant that no one else who had attended that event ever heard. He also made claims that members of the LGBTQ community are advocating pedophilia. And, yes, again — he really said that!

County commissioners have a civic duty to represent all their constituents equally and fairly. Anyone who is not a straight, white, Christian man should be livid at these attempts to further marginalize and demean them. Furthermore, I question how anyone who calls themselves a Christian can espouse such a viewpoint.

In the end, Commissioners Barron, Moyle, and Petersen all voted against the resolution. Moyle’s comment: “I’m not gonna support DEI” speaks volumes about his bigoted attitude toward others whose race, background, or lifestyle choices do not align with his.

I hope the citizens of Delta County are as outraged by this attitude as I am. The declaration of Independence says “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Commissioners who frequently want to talk about our forefathers and their wisdom in establishing our government need to keep this is mind.

Please sign the recall petition when it becomes available. Let’s bring back representation for all.

Shirley Gollach

Escanaba