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Posted on Tue, Aug. 15, 2006



Anti-illegal immigrant law fails in Forty Fort
Law modeled after Hazleton’s garners only one vote – from councilman who proposed it.

By RORY SWEENEY rsweeney@leader.net

FORTY FORT – Several council members voiced approval of sections of an anti-illegal immigrant ordinance fashioned after the one approved recently in Hazleton, but Councilman David Williams’ was ultimately the only vote in favor of it.

Despite empathy from other council members and support from several borough residents, Williams, who proposed the bill, could do little more than smile as residents opposed to it clapped after the 8-1 vote.

“I will officially say I was disappointed, but I will also say I understand everybody’s position,” Williams said after the meeting. “They believe they are doing the best for the borough.”

He reasoned the borough needed the ordinance as a pre-emptive measure to avoid any costly problems or terrorism threats. He said he hasn’t noticed a growing illegal immigrant population in the borough, which has a 98.5 percent white demographic, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. He added that he had passed by work areas and heard people speaking foreign languages “a few times,” but didn’t know if they were illegal.

“It is not dead,” he said of the ordinance, adding that he would re-examine it and rewrite any potentially troublesome sections. “It will see light again.”

Councilman Robert Craig said his objection was “a purely financial concern” because he didn’t feel the borough was prepared to weather the storm of litigation such an ordinance might present.

“I wish I could have voted for it,” he told Williams after the meeting. “Let Hazleton take care of (the legal ramifications), then we’ll approve it.”

Other council members offered similar reasons for their opposition. Councilman Andy Tuzinski said many portions of the ordinance were “pointless” if not enforced, and given the police department’s enforcement record, he didn’t expect they would be enforced.

Council President Joseph Chacke said there were “a lot more issues in the borough” and that it’s “just something the borough … should not be involved in.”

Residents opposed to the ordinance cited connotations of intolerance and fear of legal costs.

Gina Zanolini Morrison was “upset about the anti-diversity message (the ordinance would be) sending” and that it would be “equating illegal immigration with illegal activities.” She did, however, clarify that she was not supporting illegal immigration.

However, there were more residents in attendance who supported the ordinance, including James Angley, who was “terribly” disappointed the council didn’t “do what is right” because he felt it allowed the “anti-American, socialist” American Civil Liberties Union to rule communities through legal threats.

“I admire your courage,” he said to Williams during public comment. “If you need any help, just see me.”

In other business, council approved a noise ordinance with Councilman Richard Yingst dissenting.

In a 5-4 vote, it also approved an ordinance that limited parking to one side of various streets. Council members Deanna Brown, James McCabe, Sherri Yeninas and Richard Yingst voted against it, saying it would unfairly inconvenience taxpayers on those residential streets.

Council also approved bill payments with the exception of one for new decals for the borough’s police vehicles. Tuzinski said the bill would go unpaid while council investigated who authorized its payment.


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Rory Sweeney, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 970-7418.





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