The Talbot County Council could remove D-E-I language from the employee handbook

TALBOT COUNTY, Md. – The Talbot County Council triggered controversy at the council meeting regarding D-E-I initiatives. In the next meeting, the county handbook’s DEI section could be removed.

Pete Lesher, the Vice President of the Council, said the impact would be significant to county members.

“The statement in the employee handbook, the annual report on diversity training, if you remove those, the policy significance is minimal, this is mostly about symbolism.”

The County Council has been discussing removing language in county government employment guidelines. Council member Dave Stepp, introduced the idea at the last meeting, stating it would allow people to be more united. “It’s time Talbot County, the employer, stop letting politicized DEI get in the way of true and real unity that is displayed daily in Talbot County.”

Stepp believes removing the wording would keep the county in good graces with the Federal Government. “I ran my campaign for this role based upon what I call the 5 F’s. Faith, family, freedom, fiscal responsibility, and fighting for you. This is fiscal responsibility at its core, protecting the millions of dollars, both in operational and capital form, that Talbot County receives from the federal government every year.”

As of now, a portion of the Talbot County Handbook states, “by adopting this diversity, equity, and inclusion statement, Talbot County, Maryland strives to foster an environment that welcomes and accepts diversity within the county government.”

NAACP President for the Talbot County branch, Richard Potter, disagrees with the idea. He said he will fiercely defend the county’s most vulnerable residents.

“I find it difficult that we would be entertaining getting rid of something that brings unity, and brings better outcomes for the county government.”

Potter hopes the change doesn’t take place, because he said it would change the fabric of the county.

“It would change the landscape of the county drastically. What is the message you’re sending to marginalized communities in Talbot County?”

The Talbot County Council has tabled the plan, and will make a final decision at their next meeting on March 11th.