Mt. Crested Butte passes proclamation to condemn racism

But comes with much controversy among council members

[ By Kendra Walker ]

In an effort to show support for this year’s conversations surrounding racism and inclusion, the Mt. Crested Butte Town Council has spent the last couple of months drafting a proclamation to condemn racism.

Considering the sensitive topic, the council has struggled to come up with the perfect words, but in a 4-3 vote the council approved an anti-racism proclamation for the town of Mt. Crested Butte. And the council’s discussion proved once again how challenging and complicated the racial equity conversation continues to be here in the Crested Butte bubble.

Council members Michael Bacani and Dwayne Lehnertz had issues with some of the wording in the most recent draft, before it was voted on at the Town Council meeting on December 15.

Specifically, neither council member liked language to support “all who raise their voices.”

“There are gray areas there on who’s raising their voices,” said Bacani. “Certain groups are very proactive and are really good at denouncing racism and others have alternate motives. I couldn’t support all those voices.”

Both Bacani and Lehnertz had issues with incorporating any promise of funding. “When we start funding things we are making a commitment to spend our constituents’ dollars for something that is not a constituent-initiated activity,” said Lehnertz.

“I have no problem taking the word ‘fund’ out,” said mayor Janet Farmer.

Additionally, Bacani did not like the wording that the town would “seek methods to be more inclusive.”

“I would rather ‘methods’ be addressed in a proper setting in a proper structure rather than just sticking it here,” said Bacani.

“I don’t see anything wrong with seeking methods to be a more inclusive society,” said council member Lauren Koelliker.

“I think it’s really important that we say we’re actually going to do something about it rather than have hollow conversations,” said council member Roman Kolodziej. “I think taking out that part is saying we’re going to listen and learn about it but we’re not going to do anything about it. It’s pretty hollow.”

Council member Steve Morris suggested re-working the proclamation into a more positive spin, saying, “Instead of saying ‘we condemn,’ say ‘we support equality and diversity.’

“I think it waters it down,” said Koelliker. “I think the whole point of having this proclamation is to take a bold stance. If we just narrow it down to ‘we stand against racism, the end,’ I think that’s kind of missing the point of why this is such a big deal.”

Kolodziej agreed and addressed Lehnertz. “I will not continue to water this down until it’s palatable for you… Can we just change it to racism with a sad face emoticon, or racism and a thumbs down?”

“I hear some sarcasm but also frustration in your voice,” said Bacani. “There’s nobody here that disagrees that racism and inequality is bad. But what are you trying to accomplish besides making yourself feel better?”

Kolodziej countered, saying, “If everyone thought racism was bad then we wouldn’t need a racism proclamation.”

“Roman, I personally think racism is bad,” said Lehnertz, who shared that he didn’t think it was the town’s place to make a proclamation. “I think that trying to influence the conversation is putting us into a conversation that is not ours to get into… Somebody telling you that something you do is bad, is that going to change your behavior? To engage in this activity is pointless. We’re not going to accomplish anything with this without specific measurable objectives that we agree to.”
“This is an incredibly complex and intense conversation,” said Morris.

Koelliker chimed in, saying, “The point of a proclamation is sometimes more of a starting point. Something we hope to guide us to achieve a more diverse community or making it clear that Mt. Crested Butte wants to be inclusive and stands against racism. Not as the actual means to which we’re going to do that.”

Town attorney Kathy Fogo agreed, noting, “It’s just a statement, it’s not legislative… It’s a statement of desired intent or desired purpose. It doesn’t commit you to anything in particular.”

Council members Morris and Nicholas Kempin reworked the proclamation in the Zoom chat to try to appease everyone. Bacani was happy with the updates and voted in favor. Lehnertz, however, voted no.

Kolodziej expressed his disappointment for the new version. “If I vote no that looks very terrible, but if I vote on something wishy-washy… I think it’s really important that we say we’re actually going to do something about it rather than have hollow conversations, so I’m going to vote no.”

“I’m with Roman,” said Morris. “I feel the folks who were really supportive of this have compromised to no end whittling this down, so I have to vote no.”

However, the remaining council members voted yes and in a 4-3 vote the proclamation passed.