KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Members of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners Tuesday were at odds over appointments to the county’s new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion board, with four Republicans on the commission claiming the DEI board isn’t very diverse.
The comments came as the county board was set to appoint the final two citizens to the nine member panel, which will advise the county on efforts to root out discrimination.
The board’s Republican members complained that a number of groups are not represented by the current appointees, who are predominantly women from the city of Kalamazoo. Commissioner Roger Tunier said he would like to see representation for the disabled, ex-felons and more males.
Commissioner Tracy Hall countered that the newest appointees do that kind of work for a living.
Commissioners split down party lines on the vote, approving the appointees 7-4.
(reporting from John McNeill)
