After an abysmal month at the state legislature, where bills targeting LGBQTIA+ individuals moved forward by party line votes, it’s refreshing that this community’s leaders have been discussing statements on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
For Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group, work on a DEI statement is part of their efforts for reapplying for the Great American Main Street Award. Mount Vernon was recognized as one of the eight nationwide finalists for that award last spring, and work is going into an application to reapply for 2023 to be completed this summer. Even if the DEI statement isn’t completed ahead of the application, the effort is to have this a living document for the organization, and they are in early discussions on that statement today.
The City of Mount Vernon noted this was an area that the community could prove to be a leader. The council is as well at the infancy of their own discussion, having mentioned it at the Feb. 22 council meeting. City administrator Chris Nosbisch noted the discussions from CDG spurred the council to explore this, as he felt this is a place the city could be at the forefront, and that the community is already living many of the values, just hasn’t written them in any statement. Work on the statement will be taken up at coming meetings, with the council working with a consultant on the process and discussions.
Mount Vernon Schools, according to superintendent Greg Batenhorst, is working on a committee and advisory board, based on interest by families in the community and the actions at the statehouse the past month. Those groups have plans to be in place by fall 2023.
During a brainstorming session in early March for CDG, terms that denote the categories and values of the community were shared, including the welcoming nature of the community, engagement of the citizens, the unique and eclectic make-up of the community as well. Those will be the springboard for writing the statement for CDG on what values that want to be highlighted.
Many of the values highlighted are things, as many noted, that have already been in place and many have witnessed in these communities, and aren’t reinventing the wagon wheel. They are just spelling out what’s already been in place and continuing to let these communities live their values.