A passionate discussion that spanned multiple hours at Tuesday’s Door County Supervisor Board meeting was centered around Resolution 2021-31, which declares racism a public health crisis in Door County. There was fire from both sides of the discussion during the public input period of the meeting.  

Multiple speakers enthusiastically discussed how they would be discouraged if Door County rescinded the resolution. Some mentioned how proud they were when the resolution was passed in March, compared to the disappointment of seeing it again placed on the agenda. In the meeting’s Supervisors Response portion, Supervisor Megan Lundahl said the resolution doesn’t call Door County racist and that saying the resolution does call it that is a form of political gaslighting. 

Opposing viewpoints on the resolution also exclaimed that there was no clear end game and not enough discussion had to pass it. There were also concerns from Supervisor Ken Fisher over the use of the word, “equity” in the discussions.

The vote to reconsider the resolution passed 11 to 9, which would place the resolution back on the table for discussion as if it hadn’t been acted on. Todd Thayse then made a motion to amend the resolution and bring back the resolution drafted by the administrative committee-- which passed 11 to 9. 

Supervisor Vinni Chomeau, who authored the originally passed resolution, wasn’t in favor of the amendment, calling it a total rewrite which didn’t include equity. Supervisor Susan Kohout offered amendments to the resolution, which ultimately passed by a 16 to 3 vote with two absences. She hoped this amendment could ease any hostility from both sides of the issue. 

The re-worked resolution will now be implemented.