Thread: Illegal Immigration critic: Anaheim school trustee resigns

Friday, August 31, 2007
Anaheim Union school trustee resigns
Illegal immigration critic has said he wants to save school district cost of special election.
By ERIC CARPENTER
The Orange County Register

ANAHEIM - Trustee Harald Martin resigned from the Anaheim Union High School District board Thursday under intense public criticism for his outspoken stance on illegal immigration.

Martin submitted a letter to the superintendent, saying he would resign effective Saturday. He made no immediate comment during the meeting – ongoing at press time – but told The Orange County Register on Wednesday that he was considering stepping aside to spare the district the $550,000 cost of a special election to replace him.

"My ego is not so big that I would want the district to bear the cost … because of me," he said.

Martin was a polarizing figure on the board from 1994 to 2002, especially for his proposal to bill Mexico for the cost of educating illegal immigrants. His appointment to fill a vacant seat last month sparked a campaign to unseat him and force a special election. More than twice the required 2,300 signatures were submitted last week and were being verified by election officials.

Trustees said they will decide Sept. 13 whether to appoint a new trustee or call an election anyway. An attorney for the county's Department of Education said state code allows the board to do either.

An attorney for the petitioners challenged that opinion, saying the code requires a special election. Petitioners said they can't trust the board with another appointment.

"The cost of an election is only a tiny fraction of this district's annual expenses," resident Leonard Lahtinen told the board. "Respect your constituents. Let them vote."


Contact the writer: 714-704-3769 or ecarpenter@ocregister.com

http://www.ocregister.com/news/election ... st-special





Why was this man forced to resign because he opposes illegal immigration?? There is a place to comment on the site and the paper is now conducting an online poll. Let's support this man! The poll is on the banner mid-left "Poll of the Week"

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/se ... migration/

What should resigning Anaheim Union High School trustee Harald Martin do now?
Run for a board position in the next election
48%

Attend board meetings as a resident to advocate his positions
25%

Stay away from the district
27%


Total Votes: 85

I say keep him. Sounds like a great guy and Mexico should be paying for the education they are not giving their children.