Thread: Greely, CO: Residents want officials to uphold law

Residents want officials to uphold law
Guest Commentary
October 14, 2007

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness ..." so said Charles Dickens in his masterpiece "The Tale of Two Cities."

There are two Colorado cities slated to receive new Immigration and Customs Enforcement resources as a result of federal legislation: Colorado Springs and Greeley. The reaction by each of these cities to these new ICE resources is strikingly different.

Led by decisive and strong elected officials, Colorado Springs petitioned the federal government for the additional law enforcement assistance. The news that ICE resources would eventually come to Colorado Springs was welcomed by elected officials at all levels, knowing that increased public safety would benefit everyone.

The reaction in Greeley couldn't be more different.

The Greeley mayor and City Council assigned the matter of reviewing the need for an ICE office to a hand-picked committee of residents. This committee held public hearings and eviscerated a straightforward resolution, which resulted in no decision one way or the other. Instead, the mayor and a 4-3 majority of the City Council decided that enforcing the laws was a federal issue. So, the federal government made a decision.

When the federal government enforced the immigration law in Greeley last December by arresting and deporting 261 illegal immigrants who were using stolen identities, the mayor could have admitted that he did not comprehend the magnitude of the problem in the city. Instead, he seemed to care more about those engaged in the criminal activity than the victims.

The mayor could have thanked the federal government for its assistance in enforcing the laws. He could have apologized to victims across the country for hosting hundreds of criminals. He did neither. Instead, the mayor chose to travel to Washington, D.C., and testify on "behalf" of the residents of Greeley. The May 16 Tribune headline was clear: "Greeley mayor heads to Washington to stop immigration raids." The mayor's message was also clear: Stop enforcing immigration laws in Greeley.

The mayor could have applauded the effort of his police department, law enforcement and ICE for removing 261 criminals from our community. Instead, the mayor insulted his own department by suggesting that an ICE office in Greeley would lead to racial profiling by law enforcement. In a letter to the Tribune on April 29, the mayor said, "My concern with law enforcement and ICE actions is that people with legal status sometimes are discriminated against because of skin color, surnames, language, accent, etc."

I sent the mayor a letter on May 16 expressing my disappointment that an elected official would accuse our fine men and women in blue of violating the constitution they have sworn to uphold. I asked the mayor for examples of racial profiling because certainly no responsible official would make such an allegation without justification. I have not received a response to my request.

This is not a community full of hate. This is not a town full of bigots. And those who support an ICE office in Weld County are not racist. This is a county full of caring and tolerant people -- most of whom are just asking their elected officials to take a stand and uphold the law.

Colorado Springs took Dickens' words to heart, and the elected officials are working to make sure that they enjoy "the best of times." Let's make sure that indecision and mixed messages don't lead Greeley to the "worst of times."

Ken Buck is the Weld district attorney.
http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/2007 ... /110140165

I was very glad to see this article in the paper by our DA. I've been leaving comments on any article related to Mayor Selders advising he is an illegal alien supporters and needs to be voted out next month!

http://www.casapac.com/

Read the first newsline there. It appears that Mayor Selders is finally getting his feet held to the fire!