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Citizens and members of the Chatham Conservative Voice are standing up for the right to open government after a resolution was signed by commissioners, they say, without public input.
"A number of counties around here are participating in ICE why wouldn't we want to," Resident and CCV Member Donna Kelly said.
The resolution discourages the county sheriff's department from working with ICE or Immigration Customs Enforcement because they said the program is too expensive, it's ineffective and they believe that it will increase racial profiling.
The CCV organized a meeting inviting county commissioners and others who support the resolution to discuss the document with residents. But none of those officials, including Chairman of the Commission George Lucier, showed up.
"I had originally agreed to participate but since that time the meeting has been taken over by outside interests," Lucier said.
Commission Lucier said he decided not to go to the meeting because of hate mail and threats that he was receiving like an email that said "sleep soundly while you can".
But like the county officials those outside groups making threats didn't show up either. Chairman of the Democratic Party Carl Kachergis also decline an invite.
"I feel that this issue has been discussed in public forums numerous times. I don't feel like there is much more to be said about it," Kachergis said.
Lucier said the county must focus on other matters.
"This issue of immigration is a distraction from the big issues that face the county and the nation like building new schools," Lucier.
Resident and member of CCV Brian Bock disagrees.
"None of these issues are stand alone. As a safe haven community, the more illegal immigrants we have the more schools we're going to have to build and the more social security we're going to have to build," Bock said.
Although the commissioners say it's a done deal, those who attended the meeting are signing their own petition asking officials to withdraw the resolution.
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By piper_chuck on 02/28 07:40 AM
"Do you even understand what kind of conditions these illegals have to go through to come here to work? It’s like running 3 ironman marathons, end to end with countless dangers along the path." You're singing a sob story about how much trouble it is for people to illegally enter the country and the risks they put themselves at by being here? Priceless. They choose to face those risks because they know if they can avoid detection they can make more money than at home. Nobody forced them to do it, in fact in many cases, they actually pay huge amounts of money to do it. "And to speak of the greediness of this country, 1.3 billion is not much money." You might want to read more carefully before you comment. First of all, $1.3 billion is a huge amount of money, no matter what budget you're discussing. But anyway, my comment clearly said that was the cost to NC taxpayers. And, that's just at the state budget level, it doesn't even consider how much the federal government pays. "Don’t you think we could offer up a few billion dollars to help out our impoverished neighbors to the south?" Great idea, but before you make statements that sound like we do nothing, perhaps you should educate yourself on what we already do. We already give huge aid to our neighbors to the south in the form of direct aid, economic development investment, and when companies move jobs south.
By piper_chuck on 02/28 07:18 AM
Michaelangelo: Your excuses are common and not at all valid. You say illegal aliens come here because they have no choice? That's a flat out lie. They do have a choice. Instead of staying in their own country and working to make it a better place, they come here because they can make more money. You're attempting to lay the blame of the illegal alien problem on all of society. Consumers always ask for lower prices, that's the nature of a free market. That is not an excuse for employers to break the law. People in other countries do have things tough, but that's also no excuse for them to break our laws. Two camps are largely to blame for this problem. First is the illegal aliens themselves. They choose to violate our laws when they come to our country illegally, steal jobs without work authorization, drive on our roads without a license, and use fake ids to avoid detection. The second group is employers who hire illegal aliens. They provide the incentive for illegal aliens to come to our country. If the easy money was not available, few would come here. Oh, and the fight against illegal aliens isn't something that just started because of the downturn. Some of us have been waging this battle for years. Why can't we welcome them with open arms? This country simply does not have enough resources to admit everyone who wants to be here. We already admit millions of legal immigrants every year. The illegal aliens think they're above the law and that they get to choose when to come here. That's not the way it's supposed to work. This is our country and we get to choose how many people come here and when they can come.
By Michaelangelo on 02/27 11:40 PM
I didn't really say that they should stay so we could all reap from the benefits of cheap labor and goods. What I did say was that we have already done this, and some are being hypocritical and deciding now that we are done with them, ship them back home. As much as everyone denies it, they have built this place, as well as many cities around the country, and gone unseen and ungratified in their efforts. Let's also not forget that if not already doing so that they would be paying taxes. The problem is that is not good enough for this country to recognize them. They are here because they have no choice. Live in extreme poverty, starve, be raped or murdered. Or they can come here illegally, find a $15 an hour job and earn only $7 an hour doing it, and live peacefully but in constant fear that they will be deported and lose their children. They never will see what you all take for granted. How is it this country full of bible beaters can't take heart in these poor soul's pity and lend them a hand or welcome them with open arms. Selfish attitudes of 'what about our schools' take first priority over human life and human rights. I can only hope that this country is in despair one day so your children can face what these folks have to deal with now. And when it is your children looking for safety, a home, a minimum wage job, some small piece of security for their family, I hope the door gets slammed in their face as well.
By djkelly on 02/27 04:20 PM
I find the argument that we should allow the illegals to stay so we can all reap the benefits of cheap goods offensive. The reason some employers can save so much money on labor costs is not just that they can pay illegal immigrants lower wages but because they're illegal and afraid to talk to authorities those employers can ignore other labor and tax laws as well. What does it say about our society when people think a valid argument for not enforcing immigration laws is so we can all benefit from exploiting illegal workers? The important thing about the situation in Chatham County is that the county did not qualify for the 287(g) program that the resolution is supposedly in opposition to. So why did the Commissioners pass the resolution? They decided to take a stand in the federal immigration debate and now are upset when their constituents ask question about it. The overwhelming majority of communities had the good sense to stay out of the debate.
By Michaelangelo on 02/27 03:43 PM
Oh yeah, I forgot - Greed is the reason. I know, I am a contractor in construction. Competetion drives down costs. Customers insist on low prices and bids (greed at its best). This forces an influx of cheap and illegal labor. Is this greed the labor's fault? No, I don't think so.... Greed starts from the rich and uneducated and takes it's toll on society.
By Michaelangelo on 02/27 03:28 PM
Piper_chuck- Thanks for the feedback and opinion. I want you to think about the next time you go anywhere - Walmart, CVS, Harris Teeter, Home Depot, etc., that the money you save in this stores is due in part to these illegal aliens. They, for the most part, were the work force behind building these places. A lot of them have something to do with the products that these place are carrying. They are the reason we have so many options as such to shop, eat , and save$$$. Don't tell me you're not for that. Your home was most likely built by or worked on at some point by them. You, like everyone else have reaped some benefit from them being here. Now that times seem tough, you all want them gone. The reason they cost taxpayers so much is because they can't be accepted. We are supposed to be the savior of all countries, with an open door policy that welcomes all. That is unless your country doesn't give a damn (like Mexico) and won't issue visas, or enough of them at that. Hardlined attitudes like "just ship them back home" will get you nowhere. What choice did your ancestors have when they came to this country? Where they being executed like mine? Were they being forced into slavery? Do you even understand what kind of conditions these illegals have to go through to come here to work? It's like running 3 ironman marathons, end to end with countless dangers along the path. And to speak of the greediness of this country, 1.3 billion is not much money. Look at what is being given out in rescue stimulus packages right now. Don't you think we could offer up a few billion dollars to help out our impoverished neighbors to the south? Maybe create a program that helps these folks seek assylum here? Why not - we do that for refuges from Iraq and the rest of the middle east, as well as some of Europe....
By Immigration Attorney on 02/27 03:06 PM
I think it is great that the people are getting a voice in this matter. I hope that something fair for everyone is decided on, because that is really what is best for our country. http://berdklauss.com
By piper_chuck on 02/27 12:28 PM
Michaelangelo: Yes, it's a free country for citizens, legal residents, and visitors who come here legally. It is not free for people who entered illegally or overstayed their visas. We can, and do, build things without illegal aliens. Greed is the only reason for using cheap and easily exploited illegal alien workers. The do spend money here, but it's only enough for the basic necessities. The rest goes back to their home countries. We lose billions of $ every year. And as far as taxes go, it is estimated that illegal aliens cost NC taxpayers $1.3 billion, but only pay in $255 million. Illegal aliens are a drain on our country and the sooner they're gone, the better.
By Biker mike on 02/27 09:10 AM
Do these people know that they CAN NOT receive anything from the stimulus package if they do not part take in the 287g program (ICE or Immigration Customs Enforcement ) so no new schools for chatham or anything else from the feds
By Michaelangelo on 02/27 07:32 AM
Yeah, and without the illegal aliens, you won't be building anything. How long will it take the ignorants that run our governments to realize that they are chasing the country's work force away? Does no one else see the correlation between the cheap labor leaving and the increasingly poor economy? Stimulus plans should include bringing these folks back and granting them temp status or giving them work visas. They spend money here just like everyone else. Force them to pay taxes and they will, as long as they can work and raise a family like everyone else without being harrassed. This is still a free country, isn't it?
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