Incivility on the Social Equity Committee

To the Editor:

The egregious behavior by Darren Duez and his friend/employee, Darrell Fisher, at the Dec. 21 Sonora City Council meeting was offensive, shocking and appalling. Mr. Duez, someone appointed by the council to their Social Equity Committee, was utterly disrespectful of Councilperson Colette Such.

I have assisted at or watched all five of the Social Equity Committee (SEC) meetings. Mr. Duez has become increasingly belligerent and disruptive at these meetings, insisting that they not focus on racism, the very issue that was its genesis. He has been disruptive, frequently expressing frustration and questioning the need to discuss racism. He doesn't believe in their purpose. He lacks civility and respect for SEC members.

I believe a great deal is being accomplished by the very presence of the Social Equity Committee. I am proud of the council for forming it and appreciate Colette Such's leadership. It speaks very well of our community.

The video clip Mr. Fisher showed at the Dec. 21 council meeting was taken completely out of context as Ms. Such later explained. It was a dishonest and underhanded attempt to smear her as racist. I know Colette, and she is a woman with great integrity, credibility and leadership skills. Following Mr. Fisher, Mr. Duez then made many false accusations against Ms. Such, including being racist. He and Mr. Fisher had clearly planned this slanderous attack on an elected official. To allow him to remain on the SEC is to betray the council's support of the committee.

I wrote to the council requesting that they condemn Darren Duez' unconscionable behavior at the Dec. 21 meeting and remove him as a member from the SEC.

I urge you to attend the next council meeting on Jan. 4 at 5 p.m. to speak to this issue.

Pat Cervelli

Tuolumne