Councilwoman backs Arizona immigration law
BY SAM GALSKI (STAFF WRITER)
Published: May 6, 2010
Arizona has an ally in its hard-line stance against illegal immigration.
Hazleton City Councilwoman Evelyn Graham, a supporter of the city's own embattled Illegal Immigration Relief Act, asked city council on Wednesday to consider sending a letter to the state of Arizona in support of its controversial immigration law.
"A few years ago, we tried to pass an anti-illegal immigration ordinance in Hazleton," Graham said following Wednesday's council meeting. "I appreciate what Arizona is doing and want to support them."
Council President Joe Yannuzzi said he fully supported Graham's request, asking if she preferred including a resolution declaring Hazleton's support for the Arizona law on its May 26 meeting agenda.
"They're doing what we've done state-wide," Yannuzzi said.
The council president said he sympathizes with Arizona leaders who have supported the law and risked becoming a political target.
While making his point, Yannuzzi referred to Hazleton's 2½ years' worth of legal wrangling regarding its ordinance. The American Civil Liberties Union wants Hazleton's 2006 law abolished.
Hazleton's ordinance seeks to penalize businesses for hiring illegal immigrants and landlords who rent to them. Both sides in the Hazleton case await a ruling from the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals, which heard an appeal of the case in Philadelphia in October 2008.
City Councilman Jack Mundie said he wants to study the Arizona law before commenting on it.
"They have to decide on the constitutionality of that," he said. "I will reserve my comment until next meeting."
Arizona's law, signed by Gov. Jan Brewer in April, would make it a misdemeanor for failing to carry registration documents; allow officers to arrest those who are unable to provide documents proving their legal residence and bar people from knowingly transporting illegal immigrants. Proponents say the law would help Arizona deal with crime while opponents have said it could lead to harassment and racial profiling.
Community Development
Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would re-allocate about $54,000 worth of 2010 federal Community Development Block Grant funds that were originally reserved for housing rehabilitation and economic development - and couple it with $94,538 in additional grant funds obtained this year. The $148,624 in re-allocated funds would be put toward the purchase of a new ladder truck for the fire department, increasing police patrols, street paving and improvements to Hazleton Little League facilities.
Fire Chief Donald Leshko said $75,000 in Community Development funds would be used for providing Hazleton's match to a $740,000 Department of Homeland Security grant that will be used for buying a new ladder truck.
Council must approve second and third readings of an ordinance authorizing the funding transfers on May 26. Leshko said he hopes the department will have selected a new vehicle from the state's joint purchasing program.
The new vehicle will replace a 1972 Seagrave ladder truck, which will be put out to bid when a purchase date is confirmed, he said.
Another roughly $17,000 of Community Development funds will be used for providing police patrols while $15,000 will be awarded to Hazleton Little League. About $22,000 in federal funds will be used for street reconstruction, but Director of Public Works John Ackerman said the work scope has yet to be determined. Just under $19,000 in federal funds will offset administrative expenses, according to the ordinance.
Honoring a mayor
Council unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the late James A. Paisley, a former police captain who served as mayor from 1978 to 1985.
The resolution recognizes Paisley, who passed away on April 20, for "his numerous accomplishments and contributions, and years of service to the community he loved."
Tree City USA
Andrew Duncan, a service forester from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, presented council and Mayor Lou Barletta with a Tree City USA flag in recognition of the city's support of its Shade Tree Commission.
Duncan said the city successfully jump-started its Shade Tree Commission program about a year ago and that a DCNR grant will be used for planting, maintaining and managing new trees.
Graham told Duncan she hopes DCNR will plant trees different from those in the past that lifted and damaged city sidewalks. She said she would not support the tree-planting program if changes aren't made.
"If you can't give me some very strong assurances that something won't happen with new trees I will be voting against it," Graham said.
sgalski@standardspeaker.com
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