Editor, The Beacon:
I mentioned the Rotary Club in an article in The Beacon about my candidacy for the DeLand City Commission. Some of my opponent’s (Harper Hill) supporters are misinterpreting, misquoting or misrepresenting what I said. I would like to share my feelings about Rotary and diversity on the City Commission.
I was a Rotarian. My son Charles was a Rotarian. And my grandfather, Manuel P. da Rosa, was also a DeLand Rotarian. I was proud to be a Rotarian. I believe that Rotary is one of the finest community service organizations in existence. They are a tremendous asset to DeLand. They raise, and donate, tens of thousands of dollars a year to noble local causes. As a former program director at the DeLand Family YMCA, and a former executive director of The Neighborhood Center in DeLand, the support of Rotarians helped me fulfill the missions of those organizations.
During my interview with the Beacon reporter, she expressed an opinion that the DeLand City Commission is not very diverse. Which is true. It currently comprises four white men, between 40 and 50 years old, and one African American woman. Then the reporter asked me my opinion about the relative lack of diversity on the current DeLand City Commission? I mentioned that two of our five city commissioners are former Rotary Club presidents. And my opponent is also a former Rotary Club president. I posed what I thought was a legitimate question, in the context of a question about diversity: “How many former Rotary presidents do we need on the DeLand City Commission?”
That is what I said, word for word. I did not say anything negative about Rotary Clubs or Rotarians. In retrospect, however, it may have been an insensitive way to try to make a point about diversity. That said, I believe that it is obvious that an additional white male, 40 to 50 years old, will not increase diversity on the DeLand City Commission.
I also believe that the ideal City Commission should reflect our demographics. Which is a mix of genders, races, ages, occupations, incomes, club affiliations, etc. For example, 40% of the citizens of DeLand are over 50 years old. All the current commissioners, however, are under 50. And my opponent is 43 years old. Electing an additional “under 50” means that 40% of our citizens will be unrepresented on the DeLand City Commission. If I am elected, my fellow “AARP” citizens in DeLand will have someone representing them on the commission. Who understands their concerns and who will fight to satisfy their needs.
As I said above, Rotarians and our Rotary Clubs are a tremendous asset to DeLand. That said, I believe that a majority of the voters will share my belief that the “under 50,” and Rotary, perspectives are already sufficiently represented on the DeLand City Commission.
And finally, when my grandfather was a Rotarian, Rotary Clubs were not diverse. They were composed of white, male, businessmen and professionals. Rotary Clubs evolved. Why? Because some in Rotary wisely recognized the benefits of diversifying their membership. That’s why it seems odd to me that some are criticizing me for believing that there are benefits to having a more diverse DeLand City Commission.
Richard Paiva
Candidate for the DeLand City Commission
