Thread: Phillie paper disses Barletta

Divisive issue wins Barletta top honor
Cities' immigration stance varies
by solomon d. leach / metro philadelphia

JUL 21, 2008


Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta challenges business owners during a press conference on Tuesday July 15, 2008 to take a stance on illegal immigration and proclaim I-9 compliance employing only legal workers in Hazleton, Pa. Mayor Barletta is running for Congress. (Photo: AP Photo/Rick Smith)

PENNSYLVANIA. For a small-town mayor, Lou Barletta can sure grab his share of attention.

The three-term Hazleton mayor known nationally for his outspoken stance against illegal immigrants — despite presiding over a town of little more than 23,000 — was named "Mayor of the Year" by the Pennsylvania State Mayor's Association during their annual dinner Saturday.

The group's chairman, Lititz Mayor Russell Pettyjohn from Lancaster County, said Barletta's well-known fight against illegal immigrants was exactly what the association gave him the award for.

"I think we have to all agree what probably stands out to all of us is he has taken on the illegal alien issue...for others to take a [further] look at," Pettyjohn said yesterday.

But Barletta's new award didn't go over so well with one immigrants' rights advocate in Philadelphia.

“That just sends a really bad message about Pennsylvania,â€

[quote]“That just sends a really bad message about Pennsylvania,â€

Never heard of this paper, must be one of those "free" papers you find in your mailbox and use to line the birdcage.

What a bunch of hooey! Barletta is a hero in all of PA, especially Philadephia (home of world-famous Geno's Steaks)!

ROCK ON BARLETTA!

He won this award PRECISELY because of his ant-illegal alien stance.