||| FROM KEVIN CARTER |||
As a long-time Orcas Island resident and Vice President of Strategy and Assessments at The Winters Group—a firm specializing in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice—I have worked closely with Rick Hughes over the past several years. During that time, I have witnessed Rick’s unwavering dedication to fostering a more inclusive, transparent, and trusting community in San Juan County.
Some recent statements have questioned Rick’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, but as someone who has worked alongside him, I can confidently say he is championing these values. Rick was instrumental in passing the “Safe and Inclusive Organization” resolution through the San Juan County Council, a commitment to ensuring that all staff and residents, regardless of background, feel safe, respected, and valued. This resolution highlighted core values like equity, diversity, collaboration, respect, and integrity—principles Rick embodies and has advocated for passionately.
Unfortunately, when Rick was not re-elected, the implementation of this resolution stalled, leaving San Juan County without the critical programs, services, and learning opportunities he had envisioned to bring the resolution’s goals to life. Rick’s absence left a gap in the council’s commitment to this important work. Let’s not make the same mistake again.
With Rick on the council, I am confident he will continue implementing meaningful DEI initiatives and ensure our county remains committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.
Rick understands that trust is the foundation of effective representation. He has built that trust within our community through actions, not empty promises—consistently seeking diverse perspectives, ensuring marginalized voices are heard, and creating a space where everyone feels represented. His work on the resolution reflected his realistic and impactful approach, aimed at elevating underrepresented voices and addressing issues that matter to all community members.
I may not know every candidate in this election as well as Rick, but I do know that his dedication to our community is unparalleled. Rick Hughes is a proven leader with the experience, integrity, and commitment to make San Juan County a more inclusive and representative place. I wholeheartedly endorse Rick for the County Council and encourage others to support him.
Thank you for your time.
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Mr. Carter,
It concerns me you would think DEI efforts at the County have “stalled”. Far from it. The current Council funded and commissioned a DEI assessment and plan from contractor Mattingly Solutions DEIx. For your convenience here is the link:
https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/documentcenter/view/30747 We have already completed a baseline assessment.
Council has supported a number of meaningful measures such as offering paid-time Spanish language training to public-facing staff, Spanish language translation of all official County Communications, attention to accessibility, including ADA improvements to Prune Alley, de-gendering single user bathrooms in County buildings, support for the thirty-two hour workweek and the continued embrace of hybrid work environments that allow people to take care of their loved ones, outreach efforts to the Spanish speaking communities on our islands for the latest Community Health Assessment and efforts for inclusion in our community health strategies, inviting the Latinx Community Health Workers from the Community Resource Centers to share their work with the Board of Health at the September meeting, Public Health outreach to the LGBTQ+ community utilizing the new Health and Community Services van at Pride Festivals, free vaccination events at schools making immunizations available to children who would otherwise have transportation and cost barriers, and including Tribal citizens in the outreach for Public Art RFPs. One fine result of this last policy is the mural at the Orcas Ferry Landing.
We have begun recognizing important parts of American culture and history, adopting the Juneteenth holiday and Indigenous Peoples Day as official County Holidays, and recognizing them with annual proclamations. We have also instituted proclamations for Hispanic Heritage month and Native American Heritage Month and recognized Orange Shirt Day.
There is always more to do, but we have taken seriously the need for active work and hope we have reason to ask for your recognition of having consciously moved forward with each passing year.
Cindy,
I would also mention that there has been a tremendous amount of collaborative work done on creating the Tribal Engagement Framework that was presented and reviewed at the last Council Meeting. It is clear that current Council and the Department of Environmental Stewardship have invested significant resources and efforts into crafting this policy, which will yield improved processes and relationships for years to come.
As you state, it is important that we recognize the hard work that staff, partners and contributing agencies continue to make on this front for the benefit of all in our community.
In addition to DEI policies, and it’s good to hear of Rick’s commitment from Mr Carter, we need governing experience on our council. We need someone who has navigated Olympia, developed numerous agency partnerships, and is a proven Council team member. With a new county manger in place, we need a confident experienced council person on board to inform the manager (and not the other way around). It also helps that Rick has been endorsed by all our district representatives. My vote is for Rick.
“With a new county manger in place, we need a confident experienced council person on board to inform the manager (and not the other way around). ”
This is not an endorsement either way, but just to be clear, let us not forget that the past ill-fated County Manager was a product that SJC county received on Rick’s watch.
Yes, the previous county manager’s hiring was under Rick’s watch but not his takeover leading County government that took place in the follow on administration. I don’t think anyone can dispute Rick brings knowledge, experience and clout we need to solve the serious issues we face in San Juan County.
Then, in the spirit of our overall well-being, let us hope that the current council has made a wiser choice of county managers than the last council did.
“Yes, the previous county manager’s hiring was under Rick’s watch but not his takeover leading County government that took place in the follow on administration.”
Then, in all fairness I don’t think anyone can dispute the fact that we were fortunate, once the former county manager’s improper actions became known, that proper procedures were followed and he was replaced… by the current administration.
Time to get that ballot down to the ballot box!
Thank you, Kevin, for the diversity and inclusion work you have done for our schools and our community. Looking forward to your program at the library this month. This is an important conversation everyone is having here (thanks to the Orcasonian). With the loss of Woman in the Woods, we will definitely have a setback when it comes to racial diversity. Our Latinx students have suffered racism and bullying. I’ve witnessed deficit language by fellow school board directors and prejudice based on ideology (not race) by them, too, and our islanders with food and income insecurities could still stand to feel more welcome. We have work to do, but I know that with the help of organizations like the Orcas Resource Center, the Library, OPAL, the Food Bank, and OICF, we can do it!
Justin,
Thank you for mentioning the Tribal Engagement Framework. I didn’t put it on the list because it is policy work for building Government to Government relationships, but earlier this year staff from departments throughout County government participated in cultural competency training in preparation for this important work.
“ Then, in all fairness I don’t think anyone can dispute the fact that we were fortunate, once the former county manager’s improper actions became known, that proper procedures were followed and he was replaced… by the current administration.”
“MJ” this is not at all what happened. Mike Thomas left on his own, without council pressure, after digging a giant budget hole for our county. The current council did nothing to stop Mike’s grand plans leaving the next council to deal with the consequences. That is why we need a proven and experienced council person representing District 2, someone with the confidence to lead and question…not just follow. Vote for Rick Hughes, the only candidate with proven Council experience.