Some Want Names Off Farmers Branch Petition
Controversy, Confusion Continue In Farmers Branch

Raquel Eatmon
Reporting

(CBS 11 News) FARMERS BRANCH Some citizens in the city say petitioners are not stating the true intention of their request in gathering signatures.

The debate is over a petition drive led by a group called Let Voters Have The Last Say.

Organizers of the drive say they are gathering signatures so city councilman Tim O'Hare's proposed illegal immigration ordinances can be on a city-wide ballot. There must collect 7,000 signatures from registered voters.

Some residents who signed it, however, now want their names off the list because they feel misled.

"There's a number of individuals who feel like they were duped into signing the petition," one upset resident said in an email to CBS 11 News.

Petition organizers say they've done nothing wrong.

"Everybody that believes in democracy should be signing this petition." A supporter of the petition said.

O'Hare's ordinance wants to toughen illegal immigration laws in the city. One of the items, which makes English the city’s official language, passed last month.

In a series of 6-0 votes on Nov. 13, council members also approved fines for landlords and businesses that deal with illegal immigrants, and allowed local authorities to screen suspects in police custody to see if they are in the country illegally.

"We felt it was important that [all] the citizens of Farmers Branch vote on this issue --- not five white male Republicans, three of whom belong to the same church," says supporter and local businesswoman Elizabeth Villafranca.

The top of the petition states the intention” "To require vote pursuant to Farmers Branch City Chapter Article 11."

Long time resident Tim Scott said some citizens signed it under false pretenses.

“There have been all out deceits told to individuals who happen to be Hispanic who have been threatened and manipulated and have been told, if they don't sign the petition they could be as much deported."

Villafranca insists their approach is by the book.

"We are going out and telling them this is bipartisan effort; it doesn't matter if you are for or against the ordinance, the only thing that matters is that we want this to go to a public vote."

Tom Bohmier believes in the issue, but questions the tactics.

"If people want to change the direction of the ordinance, that's the will of the people, but it had to done in a fair, ethical and legal manner and it's not."

Petition organizers plan to deliver the signatures to City Hall on Monday.

Distressed residents will ask the city council to dismiss the petition, investigate each signature and re-do the petition drive.