City pledges unity in effort to right wrongs

There was anything but unanimity last week when the Port Washington Common Council approved a community unity statement.

The statement from the Diversity and Inclusion Committee wasn’t forwarded to aldermen until Monday, March 15, prompting two aldermen to vote against the document during the Tuesday, March 16, meeting.

“I hate to vote against this,” Ald. Mike Gasper said. “But I don’t like having things sprung on us at the last moment. We didn’t see it until today.”

Ald. John Sigwart, who along with Gasper voted against adopting the statement, said he, too, had some questions and wanted time to think about the document.

Mayor Marty Becker, a member of the committee, said the panel worked diligently to compose the statement.

“The wording was changed and modified over and over again. The seven of us finally agreed on this,” he said.

The statement reads, “The City of Port Washington recognizes that we need to come together as a community and find solutions to injustices that have occurred for too long. 

“The city supports open doors to respectful and productive conversations with all citizens. We are ready to work with you, talk with you and listen to you. We will work together to promote and normalize equity, inclusion and the celebration of diverse identities.”

The document was approved 4-2. Ald. Paul Neumyer was absent.