Our mostly lame-duck county council has, once again, slapped the hardworking taxpayers of San Juan County in the face with a frivolous, expensive scheme of divisive activism. Whether you strongly agree with DEI programs or believe them to be Marxist identity politics, here in our community, with so many other concerns and issues to address, was it responsible and necessary to spend $52,000 on a slick consulting firm with another $15,000, at least, to come? This does not even include our community monies to be paid to our own county workers for training and administering this alienating whim.

Why aren’t our elected officials capable of “embracing the values of diversity and inclusion” on their own and creating an environment that represents these ideals? Does our already part-time county workforce, who are dedicated to excellence yet struggling to serve the public properly, really need more responsibilities?

Government boards that become too carefree about spending the funds provided to them by their constituents and behave as if we dispense an unending stream of money for them to use as they wish are abusive and defy their responsibilities to the public.

Two members of this unfortunate grouping will be replaced in the year ahead.

It is my great hope that when considering our first-rate slate of candidates that we will choose replacements that have consideration and regard for how taxpayer assets are spent. Our new council must have an understanding that it is not “their” money and the obligation to spend wisely and prudently is an essential trust they must uphold.

Lauren Cohen

San Juan Island