EASTON, MD - A packed crowd filled the Talbot County Council meeting, with some attendees holding signs in protest, as Councilman Dave Stepp proposed removing two resolutions from the county’s employee handbook.
The resolutions, enacted in 2020, include a diversity statement and requiring an annual report and diversity training for new county employees. Stepp said the repeal would align the county with new federal policies ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
"There was an executive order put out by the president on January 20, his first day in office, that basically said that they're going after organizations that have the policies in place. I'm just basically trying to be proactive in doing our part to make sure that Talbot county doesn't face any shortfalls in receiving any federal funding," Stepp said.
Stepp argued that eliminating the policies would prevent the county from losing federal funding for projects such as the airport runway relocation. However, Councilwoman Lynn Mielke disputed that claim.
"The executive order, I don't think, has anything to do with our policy. It’s just a policy. It’s not a procedure, and there's a difference," Mielke said.
Community members voiced mixed reactions. Some residents saw the proposed repeal as an attack on inclusivity.
"And when you take away something like that, it sends a signal, a very clear signal, that we don't care about certain segments of our community," said Tina Jones, a Cordova resident who spoke during the meeting.
Others echoed Stepp’s funding concerns, arguing that the potential financial risk was too great.
"One of the council people said it has nothing to do with our funding. Well, yeah. You want to take that to the bank? Are you willing to chance it?" said Gary Judy, a member of the Talbot GOP.
Further discussion on the proposed repeal was tabled until the Talbot County Council’s next meeting on March 11.