Staunton's Legislative Program for 2023 is an annual document that represents Staunton’s list of priorities for the Virginia General Assembly session beginning in January 2023. This formal document is sent to our Virginia General Assembly members to help guide them in proposing and voting for legislation. I sent the following comments to the Staunton City Council in preparation for the public City Council Meeting for consideration and approval of the document. I used the 2022 Staunton Legislative Program as a guide. First Responders I support this section as detailed in the 2022 Staunton Legislative Program except: also specifically include the 2018 Legislation link and include Police as a First Responder. Plastics Recycling Facility I support this section from the 2022 Staunton Legislative Program except that the term “Plastic Recycling Facility” needs to be defined. It is unclear if that term means a plastic collection center (like the Gypsy Hill Park center) or a plant tha
I recently had the pleasure of meeting a fellow Democrat at the Staunton Democratic Committee Tuesday Coffee at Serendipity Java Bar and Eatery in Staunton. During the course of many cups of coffee and discussion I found out that he was a member of The Staunton Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission (DEI). I then attended the next meeting of the DEI Commission at 10 AM on 8/17/22 (there were 2 other DEI meetings for different subcommittees that day that I could not attend).
From the DEI website “The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission is initially charged with objectively evaluating existing data, studies, and reports from available sources concerning social and racial equity in the City of Staunton that evaluate social determinates and inequitable outcomes within the City.”
That is quite a mouthful but the goal of the DEI is to find out (using a variety of methods such as examining currently available research data, collecting more primary data from the community, soliciting direct input from community public forums and listening sessions and connecting with community leaders and partners) what factors are contributing to a positive community environment and those that are preventing Staunton from being a more diverse, equitable and inclusive community and recommend possible solutions to the City Council.
I spent 2 hours at the Data & Research Sub-Committee meeting and found the members to be creative and earnest volunteers with a variety of backgrounds and not a hint of a political agenda. This bodes well for the future success of the DEI Commission.
The Commission as a whole is just beginning their work and they have a monumental task ahead.
I hope to routinely go to the meetings (the public is welcome and the meeting details are posted on the website) and report back as they progress. I personally am giving them whatever support I can.
So what does the DEI have to do with "Community Voices" ? The DEI is a way that Staunton can assess and eventually address some of the issues affecting many people and groups that may otherwise not have a voice.
Staunton DEI website with supporting information - https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/government/city-council/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-commission
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