Merrillville council, less one member, OKs diversity and equality statement
Merrillville Town Council approved a statement of diversity and equality by elected officials and department heads, but it may be missing one council member’s signature.
“I’m not against diversity. I’m not against equality. I’m against the way the council structures things,” said Councilman Leonard White, D-7th, who cast the lone vote against supporting the statement.
The statement, which would be signed by council members then framed and posted inside every town building, reflects the town’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, Council President Rick Bella said.
It states that the town’s elected leaders and department heads “believe in creating a space where all employees and visitors feel included, respected and equal no matter their race, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, physical/mental disability or any other trait or characteristic.
“We will strive to promote diversity and inclusion throughout our town government, uplifting our community through education and outreach opportunities.
“Together, we pledge to acknowledge the universal truth that all persons are created to be unique and equal and we promise to honor that each and every day,”
the statement reads.
The pledge was written after elected officials and department heads participated in a diversity training program, and comes on the heels of one council member, Jeffrey Minchuk, D-3rd, apologizing and stepping down as council vice president after a photo of him appearing in blackface and posing with someone dressed in a Ku Klux Klan robe some 20 years ago was circulated on Facebook.
Minchuk took additional training following the incident.
White, who has voiced several complaints about not getting any committee assignments from Bella this year, said Tuesday he couldn’t support the statement because he doesn’t feel that it reflects what’s happening on the town council.
“Just because you sit in a room doesn’t mean you’re included,” White said.
Bella said the statement had nothing to do with committee assignments.
“You will be the only elected leader not willing to support this,” Bella, D-5th, said.
Bella also pointed out that Councilman Richard Hardaway, D-2nd, had no committee appointments in 2020, a move that Hardaway said White had a hand in.
“You called for Mr. Hardaway not to sit on any council committees,” Hardaway told White, who denied the accusation.
White sat on several committees in 2020, some of which he also chaired.
Bella said when making committee appointments he hopes to select those who will get the jobs done.
Five other council members attending the meeting — Bella, Hardaway, Minchuk, Margaret Uzelac, D-4th, and Shawn Pettit, D-6th — voted in favor of the statement.
Councilman Don Spann, D-1st, arrived after the vote but said he will sign the statement.