CLAYTON, Mo. (KMOX) — A shakeup in St. Louis County Government as Hazel Erby, the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, is suddenly dismissed from her position.
In a letter to St. Louis County Executive Sam Page on August 12, Erby told Page putting equity first is not reflected in the current or proposed budget. And that it's apparent those resources will not be made available.
"I have not been in the budget in the year I served in this position. So I was asking why the department was not being funded (in the email last week)."
Erby tells KMOX Page took offense to her email requesting funding and equity when he contacted her last night.
"He took offense to the email I sent to him, and wondered why I sent it. That seems to be the focus of (my firing)."
Erby served on the Council from 2004 to 2019, and aspired to the Executive's position, as the longest-serving member of the Council. As KMOX has reported, that caused a rift between Page and Erby.
"I'm not surprised," Erby tells KMOX. "I'm surprised it happened right now."
Page has named Kenny Murdoch as acting director of Diversity and Inclusion, he worked in the office before. He also serves as V-P of the St. Louis County Chapter of the NAACP.