Recent efforts have been made by the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) and Georgia City Solutions to persuade St. Mary’s to transform into a “city of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.” Although there is a possibility that some locals will view this as a positive development, others have voiced concerns about the possible effects that it could have on our community.
Some residents of St. Mary have the impression that the Association’s push for DEI training there might be a diversion from other, more important issues. They believe that the city should be working to find ways to improve the overall quality of life in our community rather than focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, they believe that the city should be working to lower costs for residents.
It is critical that all residents participate in the discussion about this issue. We encourage you to attend City Council meetings if you disagree with the GMA’s push for DEI in St. Mary’s. These meetings are held in the Council Chambers of City Hall on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6:00 p.m. Attending these meetings allows you to express your concerns to your elected officials and ensure that they are aware of your priorities.
It is worth noting that Kingsland and Woodbine, both GMA members, may be under similar pressure to implement DEI training. However, it is unclear whether they are being pressured in the same way that St. Mary’s is.
