LETTER: Plymouth doesn’t need a diversity, equity and inclusion employee

Loras Holmberg Plymouth
Dec 28, 2020
Dec 28, 2020
4

To the Editor:

Kudos to Jim Prom of the Plymouth City Council for not drinking the Kool-Aid! The council voted 6-1 to adopt a 2021 budget that included hiring a full-time diversity, equity, inclusion position. Prom was not on board.

Are there known problems with diversity and inclusion in Plymouth? No. Is there a clear picture in simple language of how the person in this position would improve the quality of city government in Plymouth? No.

If needed at all, did the council consider a position that would involve a part-time consultant or employee?

A quick Internet review of corporate trainer salaries shows that $70,000 is a solid salary. The position that Plymouth is creating is similar. The inclusion of $103,500 in the 2021 budget for this position is indicative of a city government where spending may be out of control. Just what are the top 10 salaries in the City of Plymouth?

Prom stated that the creation of the position was “a divisive issue along political lines.” Of course, he is right. Reality is that democrats frequently shout “racism” as a means of furthering their goals.

How ironic that the story also states that the 2021 budget includes a tax levy which is almost 7% over 2020. Is anyone on the council other than Prom aware that it is tough year? But those six council members do have an excuse for not being up to speed … it is the year 2020 after all!

When spring is budding, the thermometer reads 75 degrees, and it is rather safe to socialize on the lawn, the Honorable Jim Prom is invited to my estate … well OK, it’s a rather modest townhouse … for a beverage of his choice off a rather lengthy drink list. But Kool-Aid won’t be on that list.

Loras Holmberg

Plymouth

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(4) comments

Snikker Dec 30, 2020 9:56pm

Its easy to assume everything is fine when you have no experience on the receiving end of racism. Its also easy to presume there are no known problems when you are insulted from the issue. What is budgeted and what is spent are often different...they may decide part time is enough, but if full time is needed, its in the budget. Expand your knowledge base before criticizing.

MSO Dec 29, 2020 3:02pm

[sad] I don't know how many of the council study sessions or the council meetings you follow, but if you do, you would remember distinctly how CM Prom undermined immigrants and persons of color with his comments. Don't know either if you have children, but mine were taunted as brownies in Wayzata schools. Then there was racist graffiti on the Wayzata High School wall in 2019. These are just some of my experiences, not even including the racist emails I got (too long and unnecessary to publish here) during my campaign for City Council. Of course Plymouth needs an education in DEI, especially when racism starts at the top - in the City Council.

BraveNewClownWorld Dec 28, 2020 2:13pm

Wow I could not possibly agree more! It seems like Plymouth's leadership is turning into a complete bureaucracy where serving officials and their staff has become a bigger priority than serving their constituents. I don't want "diversity" in my neighborhood. I want clean parks, safe streets, and quality jobs.

Some people may just see this as a crazy new-age fad that will blow over. I'm more cynical and I can only help but see this as another way to entrench corruption and overspending with complete utter disregard for the people who live here.

Pete54 Dec 28, 2020 11:42am

Women in Minnesota earn 75 percent of what men do. Twenty two percent of the population in Plymouth are minorities but I have yet to see one police officer or worker at city hall that isn't white. I am sure there are minorities employed by the city of Plymouth but I have never seen one so I think having a diversity and inclusion position is a good idea and six out of seven city council members think so too.

I was a trainer at a company in Plymouth and I live in Plymouth, I would have had to think twice about staying at my job if I was paid $70,000 a year. I am not sure the salary you quoted is accurate but I am sure that Plymouth HR did their homework and know the correct salary range.

When you are a white male living in a mostly white suburb (as am I) it is easy to think there isn't a diversity problem.