Simsbury Board of Selectmen Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis

At their meeting on September 29, 2020, the Simsbury Board of Selectmen designated the SPIRIT Council as a formal town committee and unanimously endorsed a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis.

In the spring of 2019, more than 100 community stakeholders participated in a diversity workshop that was led by the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service.  This community-driven issues identification and problem solving process was called “Site Problem Identification and Resolution of Issues Together.” The SPIRIT Council was formed to continue to move that work forward.

“The Council’s mission is to represent the community at large and serve as Diversity Champions to help Simsbury become more inclusive,” said Cheryl Cook, co-chair of the SPIRIT Council.

Co-chair Nicole Kodak added, “The Council’s work is about fostering a community where all voices are welcome and every individual can live, work, learn, and play in a safe environment with meaningful and healthy relationships.”

First Selectman Eric Wellman and Deputy First Selectman Sean Askham will serve as co-liaisons to the SPIRIT Council, underlining the importance of the Council’s mission and a strong commitment by the Board to support the Council’s work.

“I am proud to sign my name under this resolution,” Askham said. “It’s a powerful statement about the kind of community we strive to be.”

The resolution was reviewed by the public health professionals at the Farmington Valley Health District.  By signing it, the Board of Selectmen committed to working to become an equity and justice-oriented organization. “This work starts by taking a hard look at our organization,” said Wellman. “This includes our policies, procedures, and all of the ways that we serve the public.” The Board of Selectmen asked the Town Manager to work with her department heads to review policies and practices through an equity lens.

Tenesha Grant, vice chair of the SPIRIT Council, was part of the group that drafted the resolution. “This resolution is an important step,” Grant said, “but it’s just the beginning. There’s a lot of important work ahead.”

The Board of Selectmen expects to officially appoint members to the SPIRIT Council at its next meeting on October 14, 2020.