Despite being short a few members, Bradford’s diversity, equity and inclusiveness (DEI) advisory committee and the BWG public library board are soldiering on with the tasks ahead.
During its Feb. 6 regular meeting, council declined to direct staff to fill two vacancies on the DEI committee which were brought to the committee’s attention during their meeting on Oct. 4, 2023.
Committee appointments usually share a term duration with that of councillors, but Susan Fuller and Ward 6 Coun. Nickolas Harper resigned from the committee early.
Meanwhile, council also voted to leave one position vacant on the BWG public library board.
That came in response to a letter from Matthew Corbett, library chief executive officer, dated Sept. 29, in which he notified council of the board’s unanimous decision to notify council “for the purpose of initiating the recruitment process for new board member.”
However, in his letter, Corbett also notes that the board “resigns the decision” to council whether or not to fill the position, and during the meeting on Tuesday, Mayor James Leduc read a recommendation to receive the letter and make no further appointment.
Ward 1 Coun. and library board member Cheraldean Duhaney disagreed.
“I believe that we should actually open it up for a new candidate to apply for this position,” she said. “It does not hurt.”
However, the mayor noted that the board has had “a tough year,” and “is functioning quite well right now,” so no new appointment was necessary.
Only Duhaney voted against the decision. Ward 2 Coun. Jonathan Scott was absent.
The position has been vacant since Dillon McDowell declared his resignation on social media on Aug. 31, which he said was effective as of Aug. 23.
The news came a little more than one week after McDowell publicly stated his support for Bradford’s library workers, who were then in the middle of what would become a 71-day strike, for which an arbitration decision was issued only last week.
At the time of his resignation, the former board member declined an interview request from BradfordToday and declined to provide the reason for his resignation, saying only that it was an important decision for him.
