Thread: NC: Not in English? Not in our county, Beaufort says

http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/544604.html

Published: Feb 18, 2007 12:30 AM
Modified: Feb 18, 2007 02:43 AM

Not in English? Not in our county, Beaufort says

Jerry Allegood, Staff Writer
WASHINGTON, N.C. - In what supporters call a move against bilingualism, the Beaufort County Commissioners have ordered the removal of non-English signs and informational material from offices and property under county jurisdiction.

The English-only policy, approved by a 6 to 1 vote, does not apply to programs mandated by the state and federal governments, including health and social services. But supporters said it would indicate local resolve to stop the weakening of English as a result of legal and illegal immigration.

"I'm concerned about the drift toward the nation becoming bilingual," said Hood L. Richardson, a commissioner who proposed the local measure. "We need to stop that."

Richardson said the policy prohibits signs or posters in any foreign language, but acknowledged that Spanish was a particular target. He said details of how and where the policy would be enforced are still being worked out.

Spokesmen for the N.C. League of Municipalities and the N.C. Association of County Commissioners said they were not aware of any other cities, counties or towns in the state that have banned foreign language materials.

Juvencio Rocha Peralta, president of the Mexican Association of North Carolina, said the ban hurts people who are not conversant in English, and added that fluency in additional languages helps America.

"How are we going to compete in global markets if we speak only one language?" asked Peralta, a Mexico native who has been in North Carolina more than 20 years.

Strong feelings

Peralta said his association, an education and advocacy group based in Greenville, objects to the Beaufort County measure and plans to write a letter of protest.

"To be honest, it is one of the craziest things I've heard in Eastern North Carolina," he said.

Beaufort County, located about 125 miles east of Raleigh, is predominantly rural and includes one of the world's largest phosphate mines. The county seat of Washington, with about 9,800 residents, historically looked to the Pamlico River for fishing and trade but in recent years has benefited from the surge in coastal development.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 3.8 percent of Beaufort County's 46,000 residents are of Hispanic or Latino origin. About 4.7 percent of those over five years of age speak a language other than English at home. Statewide, about 6.4 percent of residents are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 8 percent of those over five don't speak English.

Ed Booth, the only commissioner to vote against the English-only policy, said people who come to America from other countries should be given opportunities to succeed. He said immigrants are "part of our country. You might as well get used to it."

"To me, it's shameful," Booth said of the board action. "It's embarrassing."

Booth said he had received widespread support for his vote against the measure, though Richardson said he had not received criticism for his stance. He said his views were well-known to constituents.

"I've got enough of a reputation as a conservative that I don't hear from liberals," he said.

Juvencio Rocha Peralta, president of the Mexican Association of North Carolina, said the ban hurts people who are not conversant in English, and added that fluency in additional languages helps America.

The ban would only help if those not conversant in English if they will go to the trouble to learn peice by piece when they can. They would only be better for it, not worse. Or are they too lazy to learn it, or are they too racist to learn it? Remember now, if they are not conversant in English, its most likely that they are not in their own country.
This woman is obviously playing an old tune that no one wants to hear anymore. You'd think if someone with her title and position would be more progressive in her comments, but they are just the same old stale bread. Having fluency in addtional languages will only lead to factions and prejudice. Miami, FL is a god example. A unified language is what America needs.

Ed Booth, the only commissioner to vote against the English-only policy, said people who come to America from other countries should be given opportunities to succeed. He said immigrants are "part of our country. You might as well get used to it."

Now, either this guy is either actively promoting dirt pile diversity or he's terrribly out of step with the America's general consensus. Maybe the poor guy suffers from some kind of globalic symptom or disorder(brainwashing, lying. racism, etc could all be disorders). Either way, he needs to be told they don't get those opportunities until they have entered this country legally and have become citizens and that he needs to get used to this.

Juvencio Rocha Peralta, president of the Mexican Association of North Carolina, said the ban hurts people who are not conversant in English, and added that fluency in additional languages helps America.

What 'additional languages' would you be referring to, chico?
Chinese? Pfrench? Arabic? Yiddish?
Or would that be just spanish?

"How are we going to compete in global markets if we speak only one language?" asked Peralta, a Mexico native who has been in North Carolina more than 20 years.

Exactly right! And spanish isn't one of the languages the 'global market' converses in, mi amigo. ENGLISH happens to be numero uno.....I believe Pfrench might be number 2 or 3?

"

To be honest, it is one of the craziest things I've heard in Eastern North Carolina," he said.

Speaking English in North Carolina is crazy? Since when? And who says this means people still can't learn a second or third language?

This is my home county, where I was born. Our family even has a street in one of the towns named after my father. It has truly changed a lot (and not all for the better) to the point I very seldom return there. If you will please take time to drop the county manager an email of how great this move is. You will find his email at the bottom of this link. thanks
http://www.co.beaufort.nc.us/

Charlesoakisland wrote:

If you will please take time to drop the county manager an email of how great this move is. You will find his email at the bottom of this link. thanks
http://www.co.beaufort.nc.us/

Email sent to county manager: paul.spruill@ncmail.net

Thanks, Charlesoakisland. It did my heart good to see this article in the NC N&O today.

I might just send Jerry Alligood a thank you also.

I was also glad to see this article.
Beaufort County is beautiful. And
very American. I would hate to see it
change.

I always send email to the N&O reporters. They rarely
include rebuttal from ALIPAC, but always talk to OBR
advocacy groups.

When they paint these local boards as quacks, remind
the journalists that our country started as dissents by
local quacks & were dismissed by a distant caretaker
government & press.

Originally Posted by dem4labor

I always send email to the N&O reporters. They rarely
include rebuttal from ALIPAC, but always talk to OBR
advocacy groups.

When they paint these local boards as quacks, remind
the journalists that our country started as dissents by
local quacks & were dismissed by a distant caretaker
government & press.

I just email Jerry Alligood and thanked him. Lot of Alligoods are from Beaufort County, I might even be kin to one or two.