At the recent Diversity Summit in Everett, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels discussed his city’s efforts to reduce “institutional racism” and to create a “place where all can compete, cooperate and participate.” I was heartened to see the continuing commitment of Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon and Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson to reach out to the people of color and other under-represented community members to make sure we do not exclude them “by choice or by accident.”
In Monroe we are also working to better understand and serve a community that is rapidly changing in face and culture. Last spring we formed the Monroe Diversity Council, made up of institutional, business, service, religious and civic leaders so that we may proactively examine how we provide services and support minority community members. With Monroe Mayor Donetta Walser, Valley General Hospital CEO Mark Judy, Monroe Schools Superintendent Ken Hoover and Monroe Correctional Complex Superintendent Ken Quinn in the lead, we are currently examining recruitment and hiring practices city-wide that better reflect the diversity of our community.
While we encourage any community member with an interest in diversity to participate in the meetings, I am also conducting focus groups with minority members to improve our understanding of their concerns as we work together to build stronger relationships. Monroe has a rich resource of committed volunteers who want to contribute to a vibrant community. It is up to our community leaders to broaden the conversations and encourage participation as we look at improving the services we provide. We want the people of Monroe to know that they live in a community that is welcoming, inclusive and provides them with opportunities to be successful, no matter what their color or culture.
Martha Dankers
Coordinator Monroe Diversity Council
Monroe
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