Thread: Sycamore Twp. OHIO takes stand on illegal immigrants

SYCAMORE TWP. - While Congress works on a federal immigration policy, Sycamore Township has its in place.


http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbc ... 62/RSS1102


Township trustees voted June 21 to include a clause in all its contracts with outside employers that if a contractor uses illegal immigrants on a township project that contractor is subject to a $5,000 fine or 10 percent of the total value of the contract, whichever is more costly.

"If it comes to light, we'll be able to void a contract," said Trustee President Dick Kent.


Trustee Tom Weidman said he proposed the idea after speaking with residents about their concerns.

The top two things on their minds were the war in Iraq and immigration.

While it is primarily a federal issue, Weidman said the township can enforce "no-hire" policies like the one approved by trustees June 21.

Kent said the resolution is more of a way to tell contractors to "do their homework" and less about the township collecting the fines.

However, Weidman said identification checks at work sites is a possibility and he expects "somebody will get caught."

Eventually, Weidman said he expects companies dealing with Sycamore to fall in line and that other communities may take similar steps in the future.

In the time since trustees approved the measure, Kent said he hasn't heard much from residents, though Weidman said he's received nothing but positive feedback.

"I can't tell you how many people told me, 'Great job,'" he said.

Sycamore Twp. resolution fights illegal immigration
BY STEVE KEMME | SKEMME@ENQUIRER.COM
SYCAMORE TWP. - Townships can't arrest or deport anyone, but that hasn't stopped Sycamore Township from doing what its limited legal powers permit to battle illegal immigration.

Sycamore Township has passed a resolution prohibiting its contractors from using illegal aliens on township jobs. A violation could bring a fine of $5,000 or 10 percent of the project cost, whichever is greater, and cause the township to terminate the contract. For larger projects, the fines could be steep.

"I think it's one of the largest issues we have in the United States," said Sycamore Township Trustee Tom Weidman, who initiated the resolution and received the support of the other two trustees, Dick Kent and Cliff Bishop. "We believe this is something we can do at the local level to ensure we are not putting taxpayers' dollars in the pockets of illegal aliens."


The resolution has been in effect about a month, and no contractor has been caught so far.

"But we've entered into only one contract with the provision in it," Weidman said. "I suspect we'll catch somebody eventually."

Any contractor who is caught violating the provision will be unlikely to receive future contracts from Sycamore, he said.

"We have to award the lowest and best bid," Weidman said. "They might be the lowest bid, but if they've been caught employing illegal aliens, they're probably not the best bid."

Weidman said he consulted Deerfield Township officials about a similar resolution they passed earlier this year. It gave them the power to terminate the contract, but didn't include fines.

"They took our resolution one step further with their financial penalties," said Deerfield Township Trustee Chris Romano. "I like that. I wish I had thought of that."

Romano said the Ohio Township Association told him that Deerfield was the first township in the state to pass such a resolution.

Weidman said Sycamore may be the first township in the area to impose fines on contractors who employ illegal aliens.

Weidman said he is so passionate about this issue because illegal aliens drain the country's resources.

"They're not paying taxes, and they're getting all kinds of benefits," he said. "They're getting a free education. When they get hurt, they go to a hospital and get free health care. The rest of us are paying for it."


http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ ... /708060398

I look foward to that biding agian.