SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD: Comprehensive plan talks veer into debate over system racism in Langley

The City of Langley’s Planning Advisory Board is recommending the city add a statement about systemic racism to Langley’s Comprehensive Plan. The proposal comes from the city’s new “Dismantling Systemic Racism” advisory group, and reads “The city will consider the diversity of our communities and seek to create an equitable, inclusive and accessible process for Black, Indigenous and People of Color.” The city council heard a presentation on the planning board’s public hearing during Monday’s council meeting. Kira Erickson reports on the meeting for the South Whidbey Record.

Councilmember Peter Morton, whose position comes up for election this year, supported the proposal.

Councilmember Thomas Gill, who will be on the ballot in 2023, said this: “Any discussion regarding dismantling systemic racism and the Growth Management Act would be remiss if it did not include dismantling the Growth Management Act in its entirety. The act itself, while couched in environmentalism, is designed to raise the values of properties within a city and increase the barriers to the poor and disadvantaged, including members of the BIPOC community, from gaining a foothold in their communities and building equity for themselves and their families.”