At the July 18th meeting of the county’s Administrative Services Committee meeting, board member Alvin Wire (R – Dist. H, Winslow) proposed the addition of an “enticement clause” to the Stephenson County sexual harassment policy for county employees.
Wire suggested adding a new subsection to the current personnel policy, saying “I would add enticement. Any dress or bodily actions which could entice someone to commit any of the above actions.”
Wire then added, “This would be controversial.”
The discomfort felt in the room by other board members, staff, and other elected officials was palpable. It seems safe to assume this was in no small part due to the fact that The Voice of Freeport was broadcasting the meeting live to the public.
Some nervous laughter broke out in the room among the other attendees, including this citizen attendee who was recording the meeting.
Board member, Board Vice Chair, and Committee member Sam Newton(D – Dist. B, Freeport) immediately interjected that Wire’s proposed policy would be illegal.
“That would be similar to being ruled on basically [to] be finding a victim at fault,” Committee Chair and Board Member Todd Welch (R – Dist. I, Freeport) told Wire.
Over nervous objections, Wire said, “Having major cleavage could entice someone to ogle… That’s enticement. In other words, it’s one sided.”
After Welch tried to steer the conversation in a different direction, Wire proclaimed, “I said it would be controversial.”
We sent Mr. Wire an email to follow up on this meeting and asked the following questions:
Do you personally believe such a policy should be added to the personnel policy?
Since other board members told you such a policy would be illegal are you still in favor of such a policy?
Is it your belief that men or anyone else attracted to women can’t control themselves if exposed to a woman’s bare skin?
For the record we’ve included Mr. Wire’s entire response in an email below:
“Mr. Utt,
That “skin” is deliberately put on display for a purpose–to be looked at, because enticing an “admiring glance” gives the women an ego boost. However, if she feels that a man “admires” to long, he is guilty of sex harassment. I believe in equality. If a woman deliberately exposes “skin” to be looked at, but, when looked at, can be declared sexual harassment, she is guilty of enticement.
For the sake of equality, either the “looking” (G) should be dropped or (H) “enticement” should be added.
I don’t have a tape, but I believe a statement was made that I could, not would, be bordering on something that may be illegal. I did some checking and know of no law that says it is.” (emphasis added)
Carl Utt is a local Gay Atheist Liberal Democrat Insurance Agent, newly minted citizen journalist/activist, official pain in the ass of elected and unelected officials, and believes we’re currently presented with a once in a two lifetimes opportunity to change the world, right now. He can be reached at progressivevisionil@gmail.com or 815-616-5856.
