In February, board members approved a resolution recognizing March 2021 Social Work Month declaring social workers as heroic and essential.
But before passing the resolution, the board removed language saying Social workers “heal our nation during these times of pandemic, racial unrest, economic uncertainty and political divisiveness.”
On another line, it kept “Social workers have helped this nation live up to its values” but struck out the continuation of “by successfully advocating for equal rights for all people, no matter their race, sexual identity, gender, gender expression, culture or religion.”
According to the minutes of the meeting, Board Supervisor Bill Liebert made a motion to strike out those lines because he felt the board should not be referencing social justice terminology in their resolutions.
“I think I speak for the LGBTQ citizens when I ask why social justice terminology is considered inappropriate language to use for the Oneida County Board, especially when it comes to social work,” said Don Schindhelm, President of the Northwoods LGBTQ Community Group in Rhinelander.
He was one of several people who spoke against the board’s decision to make the changes during Tuesday’s County Board meeting.
“I know you didn’t pass a discriminatory law back on February 16th, but what you did sent the wrong message. It said you’re not willing to support equal rights,” said Schindhelm.
Others, like Reverend Topher Melhoff of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Rhinelander, called on the board to act.
“We ask that in the name of equality and freedom, values we all share as Americans, that this board re-insert the deleted language of the resolution or otherwise affirm your dedication to leadership that represents all the people of Oneida County,” said Melhoff.
Two board members voted against making the changes back in February.
One voted against the resolution as amended.
Oneida County Board Members can’t directly respond to public comments at meetings and couldn’t act on the issue because it wasn’t on the agenda.
You can review the minutes that include the amendments here. It starts on page five.
WXPR reached out to Liebert. He said he spoke to some of the people who gave public comment during a break in Tuesday's meeting. In an email he said, "I would like to find a time and place to meet with anyone who has concerns."
