SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD: Citizen committee becomes more permanent, expands eligibility requirements

The Langley City Council is formalizing it’s previously established ad-hoc Dismantling Systemic Racism advisory group which was established last year to advise the city staff on how to dismantle systemic racism and to advance “equity.” In doing so, they are also determining who would be eligible to serve on this committee.

Current rules say that half of the members must be “from a BIPOC-Black, Indigenous and People of Color” community and that people outside the Langley city limits can be on this Council.

Councilmember Dominique Emerson said “It is not unreasonable to expect at least two people to be residents.” The council agreed.

Councilmember Thomas Gill said “I’d be amenable to having an entry at the bottom that says if these requirements cannot be met, persons who do not live within the city may be considered.” Councilmember Craig Cyr said this idea was “elegant” and suggested that city employees could also be members.

For more details, see the story by Kira Erickson