Burlington Mayor Jeannie Hefty acknowledges that, like most communities, Burlington has residents who may be racist, but she said the Burlington she knows is a welcoming and inclusive community with a long history of helping people of color dating back to the days of the Underground Railroad.
However, Hefty said, if the problems that emerged in the past year are more than perception, she wants to find out what they are and take steps to fix them.
Hefty is prepared to pitch her idea of forming a Mayor’s Task Force on Racism, Social Injustice, Diversity and Inclusion to the Common Council.
The mayor’s proposed task force is among the top stories in this week’s edition of the Burlington Standard Press.
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Here’s a look at some of the other stories in this week’s edition:
- 50 YEARS OF SERVICE: James Peterson, of the City of Burlington Fire Department, remembers responding to fire and rescue calls during dinner with his family. In fact, through his tenure, Peterson has more than likely responded to thousands of calls since he started in 1971. He was honored Monday for his long tenure with the department.
- COURT NEWS: A former local man now living in Iowa was charged Tuesday with sexual assault for allegedly raping the mother of their children multiple times in 2014 while she was unconscious. Shane Stanger, 46, is charged in Racine County Circuit Court with two counts of second-degree sexual assault of an unconscious victim.
- TEACHER VACCINCES: In partnership with the Central Racine County Health Department, the Burlington Area School District will offer vaccinations to staff March 10 and March 31. To facilitate the process as efficiently as possible, BASD students will shift to virtual learning for these two days
- DOUBLE HONORS: A student, Luke Gillmore, and a teacher, Michelle Dean, at Catholic Central High School, Burlington, have been selected as recipients of the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation awards.
- DEMONS BOW OUT: Hopes of a berth in the state tournament were dashed last week when the Burlington Demons lost to Franklin in the opening round of sectional play Feb. 25.
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