City weathers immigration controversy (it was a pretty good debate last night)

[The Straight Story]

City weathers immigration controversy
Council OKs alternative resolution over pair of others
BY JAMES GELUSO, Californian staff writer
e-mail: [e-mail] | Wednesday, Sep 26 2007 11:15 PM

Last Updated: Thursday, Sep 27 2007 8:13 AM

The Bakersfield City Council Wednesday night shot down two controversial resolutions on immigration, but adopted an alternative proposal calling on the federal government to act.

The 6-1 vote to approve Councilwoman Sue Benham's resolution came after an hourlong public comment period and an hour of comments from the city council. Councilwoman Irma Carson was the only dissenting vote.

A proposal to declare English the official language of Bakersfield lost 5-2, with Councilman David Couch and Councilman Harold Hanson voting for it. A proposal affirming that Bakersfield is not a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants failed by a 4-3 vote, with Couch, Hanson and Councilwoman Jacquie Sullivan voting for it.

The failed proposals were at the center of the debate. They were first proposed back in mid-July by Couch.

Benham's proposal calls for the federal government to enact immigration reform, secure the borders, reimburse the costs to local government, instructing the Bakersfield Police Department to cooperate with federal agencies and -- in an amendment brought by Councilman Zack Scrivner -- for the federal government to encourage English literacy.

http://www.bakersfield.com/hourly_news/story/246393.html

I watched this on our local government access channel (Channel 16 here in BakersHell). The council was very fair in their time allotment for speakers from the community, and kept upping it to make sure everyone who wanted to be heard would be. The only problem I saw was people taking forever to state their position as time got short and they ask folks to make it quick (please take 1-2 minutes and some took 5-8).

Couch's proposal was the one folks were most worked up about, heard him on the Radio Tuesday talking about it.

Everyone was cordial, and many people in the Hispanic community seemed to know couch and like him, but did not like this proposal of his.

The community spoke and the council listened. I saw interviews afterwards and no one seemed to have an issue with Benham's resolution passing.

I will say though - the reason the first didn't pass was mainly because other council members thought they were simply symbolic and would not really do anything but cause division (ie, I got the feeling if that those resolutions actually could force something to change more would have voted it...)

[enid602]

1. Bakersfield

English: the official language of Bakersfield.