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City weathers immigration controversy

Council OKs alternative resolution over pair of others

BY JAMES GELUSO, Californian staff writer
e-mail: jgeluso@bakersfield.com | Wednesday, Sep 26 2007 11:15 PM

Last Updated: Thursday, Sep 27 2007 8:13 AM

The Bakersfield City Council Wednesday night shot down two controversial resolutions on immigration, but adopted an alternative proposal calling on the federal government to act.

The 6-1 vote to approve Councilwoman Sue Benham's resolution came after an hourlong public comment period and an hour of comments from the city council. Councilwoman Irma Carson was the only dissenting vote.

A proposal to declare English the official language of Bakersfield lost 5-2, with Councilman David Couch and Councilman Harold Hanson voting for it. A proposal affirming that Bakersfield is not a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants failed by a 4-3 vote, with Couch, Hanson and Councilwoman Jacquie Sullivan voting for it.

The failed proposals were at the center of the debate. They were first proposed back in mid-July by Couch.

Benham's proposal calls for the federal government to enact immigration reform, secure the borders, reimburse the costs to local government, instructing the Bakersfield Police Department to cooperate with federal agencies and -- in an amendment brought by Councilman Zack Scrivner -- for the federal government to encourage English literacy.

Immediately after the meeting, opponents of Couch's resolutions praised the council for taking the "morally correct" action.

Before the vote, Couch addressed criticism of his proposals.

His proposals have been inaccurately called "anti-immigration." He would accept "anti-illegal immigration," he said.

As for criticism that the resolutions are merely symbolic, Couch pointed to the city flag and city seal -- both symbols adopted by resolution. "And let us not forget the Great Squiggle Debate of 2007," he said, referring to the council's deliberation over whether Bakersfield should adopt a new logo.

And the city has passed resolutions on federal issues, such as regulation of trucks coming from Mexico, before.

Benham said the resolution called on the federal government to act -- just as her immigration proposal, presented as an alternative to Couch's, does.

"Governing bodies make statements by adopting resolutions all the time," said Scrivner.

If city after city were to adopt resolutions, Congress would take note, Couch said.

And declaring that Bakersfield isn't a sanctuary city is more upfront than simply remaining silent on the issue, he said.

Couch said he has heard from many people on both sides of the issue.

"The most poignant comments were from people who immigrated here legally and became citizens, or who watched what their parents and grandparents went through," Couch said.

The public comments ranged from brief statements to rambling rants to rhyming couplets. Overall, the comments ran about 5 to 1 against Couch.

"We do not want this message sent across the great state of California that there must be something wrong in Bakersfield," said former county supervisor Pete Parra.

Jess Nieto accused Couch of using the resolutions to organize support for a run for a Kern County Board of Supervisors seat next year.

"Mr. Couch has regrettably stooped to a Pete Wilson-type of strategy that ultimately backfired on Republicans," Nieto said.

Dolores Huerta compared the resolutions to the nooses hung from the tree in Jena, La., to threaten the black community there.

"We do not need these hateful, divisive resolutions in our community," she said.

Robert Kunde said he has talked to farmers who are generally conservative, but don't support the resolutions.

"The crops that we harvest don't care whether the folks are illegal or not, and frankly neither do I," he said.

"I think that these resolutions scare people, and I think they make us feel unwelcome in this community," said Marti Rodriguez. Even legal residents and naturalized citizens are affected, she said.

"I believe that speaking the same language draws us together," said Craig Olsen. "If we don't, we cut and separate."

Before the meeting, the crowd gathered outside, kept out of the council chambers until 20 minutes before the session started. About a dozen wore red United Farm Workers shirts, and a half-dozen wore the orange shirts of World Can't Wait, the anti-Bush group.

Some carried signs, with one reading "Why don't U kick yourself out, you're an immigrant 2" -- lyrics from a song by the rock band the White Stripes.

In other action, the council:

Approved five annexations totaling 2,050 acres, or 3.2 square miles.

The largest is the Rosedale Ranch development.

Appointed John Enriquez, Elizabeth Gosling and Kelly Bishop to the Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Committee.

Approved a resolution filing a notice of intent to create a “quiet zone” in which trains won’t blow their horns, along with a notice attempting to restore the informal quiet zone that was in place until 2005.

Approved contracts with two firms for the environmental work and design for the Highway 178 widening and interchange at Morning Drive and the Hageman Flyover. The two contracts total $5.2 million.