Petition for Removal of Ventura County Resolution 20-126 about Racism as a
County Health Emergency
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors and County Administrators throughout the
Behavioral Health departments used general statistics and the pressure of the BLM
movement about race to create an emergency declaration to incorporate unconstitutional
programs to try and solve a problem that does not exist in Ventura County.
Examples of this unjust Resolution include:
a) One person of a specific race dies two years earlier than another race
b) One race goes to a hospital more than other races
a) One person of a specific race dies two years earlier than another race
b) One race goes to a hospital more than other races
While there will always be racist people in any city or county, this resolution is identifying
the entire County of Ventura as a racist county, and that the administrators will use our
county as an example of how to stamp out racism and provide “equitable” care and
lifestyle for people of color. This resolution is completely unconstitutional and racist.
The overwhelming majority of County citizens disagree with this embellishment and asks
the Board of Supervisors to completely withdraw this resolution. In addition, any
government or tax base funding, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) departments,
marketing materials, et al, to create this unfounded accusation be immediately terminated.
Reference Bullets Below are copied from the County Resolution
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of
Ventura hereby:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of
Ventura hereby:
- Declares that racism and social inequities have created a public health crisis affecting Ventura County and our entire country; and
- Commits to becoming a more racial equity and justice-oriented organization in service to all communities in our county; and
- Endorses the work of the County’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force to assess County of Ventura policies, procedures, and collaborations, to address the prevention of racism, and to develop equity, diversity, and inclusion as core components of the County’s work in service to the community and for incorporation into the Ventura County Strategic Plan; and
- Pledges to collaborate with the county’s law and justice agencies and the community to establish an advisory group to help foster meaningful discussions and to identify public concerns related to policing policies and procedures with regard to matters such as hiring, training, and misconduct; and
- Pledges to establish a working group of health care subject matter experts and community stakeholders to study the delivery and improvement of health care services for underserved populations, including allocation of resources and personnel practices; and
- Pledges to continue to: a) incorporate equity, inclusion, and diversity into organizational practices; b) offer educational trainings and activities aimed toward expanding employees’ understanding of how racism affects individuals and their health; and c) provide tools to assist our employees in best serving our community in a culturally competent manner; and
- Pledges to advocate for relevant policies that will improve health among all Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; and
- Pledges to encourage other local, state, and federal entities to recognize racism as a public health crisis.