Officials’ job is to serve the people
My name is Leon Correy and I am a member of the Fairhaven Sustainability Committee. I also happen to be a black man, the husband of a Portuguese woman and the father of two biracial children, one of each gender. My house alone is a reflection of diversity.
When the world was exposed to the inequities that go on, those of us who know what it’s like were glad that people finally understood what we’ve been screaming about. Nobody is looking for sympathy, we simply want to be acknowledged and treated like we also matter. With that people jump on one side or another and leave no room for conversation.
Fairhaven citizens began reaching out, requesting some sort of town diversity council. So as a committee we explored the idea and began to put this together. It was originally going to be a subcommittee but we quickly realized more was needed.
This is not a committee just to solve arguments amongst people. This is a committee that will provide a vessel for communication, education, understanding, and unity. We will help to make sure the rest of the town is as diverse as the school department.
We did our due diligence and put together a plan to present to the Selectboard (BOS). We submitted a letter, which sat in their inbox for weeks before it was discussed. When it was finally addressed the matter was quickly shot down. I followed up to get clarity and he apologized for the mistake. I assumed this meant we would be on the agenda, but he immediately corrected me, stating that we need to have a Town Administrator in place first.
We have a TA in place and he is very well suited to play whatever role he needs to. What a statement it would make to a new TA that we as a town stand together? That the town of Fairhaven is insulated from the goings on in the world and we recognize and appreciate the differences we all have. We all love our town and no matter gender, race, orientation or religion we are able to stand together and make Fairhaven the best place it can be.
However all we’ve proven is that the bickering of the BOS is getting in the way of the job they’re supposed to do. That job is to serve the PEOPLE.
Guess what! Those people aren’t as similar as you think we are and we appreciate each other. We want to learn about those differences. We want to teach our children about those differences. We want to embrace those differences.
Your job is to be a public servant, not to be a dictator.
Leon Correy, Fairhaven
•••
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal.
Click here to download the entier 12/17/20 issue: 12-17-20 OysterCageTree
