04/03/2008
Southest adopts new vendor's regulation
By: Eric Gross , Staff Reporter

SOUTHEAST-A new law on the books in Southeast prohibiting vendors of municipal services to hire illegal aliens has been approved despite objections from the town counsel that the legislation be thoroughly studied and reviewed.


Supervisor Michael Rights introduced the resolution last Thursday night at a meeting of the Town Board. The stipulation calls for all municipal contracts between the town and vendors of services to contain a provision that the individual contractors "employ only persons who are U.S. citizens or are legally present in the United States." Contractors must use basic employment verification to ensure compliance with the new provision.

Councilman Paul Johnson called the supervisor's actions foolish: "You are trying to enact legislation on the fly. This is reckless and inappropriate since you are opening this town up to federal litigation. We can't rush to judgment but must thoroughly study the proposal."

Town Attorney Willis Stephens agreed, telling the supervisor that local laws must have "public hearings and advertising before being enacted. We have to conduct business in a proper framework. The town must move cautiously when dealing with one's civil rights and not rush to a conclusion."

Councilman Dwight Yee sided with the supervisor: "This is the only way to prevent Southeast from hiring illegal individuals."

Councilman Roger Gross said he had no problem with the resolution as long as it was properly researched: "We are on the right track but we must be clean and safe."

Gross said "everyone on our board does not support illegal immigration. The question is: 'How do we handle this problem?' Our code enforcement officers are doing an outstanding job with 90-percent compliance at code enforcement, rental registration, health and safety issues and fire inspections."

Gross called Stephens a "competent attorney with vast knowledge of local, state and federal law who could handle these issues as they come along. We are making progress. I understand that neighboring communities are finding that undocumented workers are actually moving out. This law moves us in the right direction but I am asking Mr. Stephens to research the proposal in the hope of avoiding costly litigation."

The board voted 3-1 (Councilman Richard Honeck was absent) to approve the resolution that took effect immediately. Supervisor Rights and Councilmen Yee and Gross voted in the affirmative while Councilman Johnson cast the lone dissenting vote.

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