Thread: Hazelton: City residents give Specter the third degree

But, what about immigration? City residents give Specter the third degree
Monday, 25 June 2007
By BOBBY MASO
Staff Writer
Two of Pennsylvania’s most notable Republicans stood shoulder to shoulder in Hazleton on Monday morning.

At the rear of the CAN DO building on West Broad Street, U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter and Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta spoke to the media, fielding questions about the ongoing debate over illegal immigration.

During the questioning, Specter mentioned Barletta positively.

The two disagree, however, on the immigration proposal of the president.

Specter, now a ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, was besieged with questions about his views on the current standing of illegal immigration reform.

Specter said that it’s like the government has dropped the ball.

"It’s anarchy the way the system is being run," Specter said.

Two weeks ago, Specter urged his colleagues to pass the immigration bill or risk making the Senate a laughingstock.

The bill didn’t pass, but it is up for reconsideration this week.

Barletta, well known for his views on the need for better policies dealing with illegal immigrants, said that he was happy to see Specter make the visit to Hazleton, noting how important the senator’s presence was.

"It definitely wasn’t a drive-by visit," Barletta said.

Barletta also testified about immigration at a Judiciary Committee hearing that Specter chaired last summer.

"Senator Specter has kept in touch with the city, and he and his office stay aware of the developments we have here," Barletta added.

Specter was also in town to get a tour of the grounds where the city’s Intermodal Center is proposed on Broad Street.

"Senator Specter has been very instrumental in many projects like the Intermodal, and on Pine Street, and the mineland reclamation project," Barletta said.

Once Specter’s entourage arrived, he was flanked by a few concerned citizens who asked questions.

Specter shook hands with the citizens, but did not answer questions.

"He’s not for the people," Rodney McAfee, a Milnesville resident said.

"He doesn’t even know what’s going on," said Arlene Thomas of White Haven.

Thomas has a hand in the Web site voiceofthepeopleusa.com, the group that supported, among others, the June 3 rally at Hazleton City Hall.

Thomas said that she frequently places calls to Specter’s office and never gets a return.

"We just want answers," she said.

Thomas said she realized her questions, concerning illegal immigration and the recently proposed bill, caused a bit of a stir at the morning meeting.

"I didn’t intend to interrupt anything, especially Mayor Barletta," she said. "We don’t want to cause any trouble. We love the mayor and what he’s done."

Thomas has invited the senator many times to come to one of the meetings the Web site hosts, but claims Specter has never shown interest.

"He doesn’t care, that’s why," she said.

Arlene said there will be a meeting tonight at 6 at Mary’s Restaurant on Route 309 to discuss a rally in Hershey. She invited Specter to that, but has not received a response from his office.

McAfee said he would just like to know why Specter would show support for a bill like the one currently being proposed in Washington.

"It (the bill) is crazy. It would welcome so many illegals to come across our borders and leaves the potential for a lot of crime," he said.

McAfee also had plans to ask Specter about the visas that grant illegal immigrants temporary residency here.

Thomas shared the same sentiment.

"Illegal immigration effects our whole economy. We are paying for them to come here when they shouldn’t be," she said.

bmaso@standardspeaker.com

Specter is a RHINO and should change party affliations

An example of bringing home the pork while not supporting the people. The people keep voting for him because of the pork even through they know that he is harming the country. People need to stop voting for the pork and we can reduce federal taxes and then people can build their own projects.