IRON MOUNTAIN — Asked to provide a definition of “woke,” two of five Dickinson County Board members offered comments to dozens of interested citizens during a meeting Monday.

The request came from Lynne Wilson of Breitung Township, who said she’d emailed board members in advance.

The board has not discussed wokeism directly. But when challenged about its decision earlier this year to deny county funding for Michigan State University-Extension, Chairman Dan Harrington remarked that MSU’s 4-H youth program should be considered a “woke, crazy organization.”

Most of the citizens attending raised their hands when Wilson asked if they thought the board should respond to her question. She said commissioners might consider the term “social justice” as a substitute for woke.

Commissioner Joe Stevens, who cast the lone vote in favor of an $81,000 Extension allocation on Jan. 13, responded to Wilson by offering a definition of wokeism as an awareness of social issues.

“I believe in equality and treating people the same,” Stevens said. The term woke, he added, may mean treating others as each individual expects to be treated in turn. The only personal judgment he wants to make, he added, is when he looks in a mirror.

Commissioner Victoria Jakel said wokeism could be tied, as Wilson suggested, to social justice. But she said it has also invoked putting “one or two groups” above the general population.

Commissioner Kevin Sullivan said he’s corresponded with Wilson by email and Commissioner Peter Swanson said he appreciated Stevens’ remarks. Harrington declined to answer.

The board has yet to respond to a notice received Feb. 24 of a lawsuit filed by Jason Gibbs of Iron Mountain. He contends the decision to deny funds allocated to MSU Extension in the 2025 budget violates Michigan law because no budget amendment was proposed or passed.

Gibbs has said his petition for writ of mandamus is intended to hold the board accountable, as the $81,000 was legally appropriated in December.

Stevens is the only returning board member from 2024. Among other Extension services, the funding was meant to enable a full-time 4-H coordinator.

Controller Brian Bousley on Monday said the board expected to soon get legal advice on its response to Gibbs’ petition. No court date has been set, he said.

During citizens’ time Monday, Mark Pilette of Quinnesec said the board should move to resolve the Extension funding issue “for the children’s sake,” adding, “fix it, please.”