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Willcox calls for State, Feds, to add people resources for border security
By Carol Broeder, Larry Blaskey, & Shar Porier/Arizona range News
The Willcox City Council recently honored a request from Douglas Mayor Dr. Michael Gomez to support a resolution asking the federal government to secure the border with Mexico.
But neither Gomez's colleagues on the Douglas City Council or members of the Bisbee City Council voted to approve the resolution.
The resolution voices security concerns to the various federal and state agencies tasked with homeland security and requests additional physical and human resources as required to secure Arizona's borders and protect its public safety personnel and citizens from criminal activities.
Willcox City Council voted unanimously at its June 7 meeting to support and co-sponsor the resolution.
"Mayor Gomez from the City of Douglas is asking the Willcox City Council to be a joint sponsor" of the resolution, Willcox City Manager Pat McCourt said at that time.
"The proposed resolution calls for the federal government to provide secure borders," he told the council.
While there was little discussion prior to the vote, Vice Mayor Monika Cronberg said later, "I consider this Border Security Resolution simply our opportunity to implore our Federal Government to do its job, to enforce the reasonable laws already in place and to enable our people to have some security at least in one part of their lives."
"It's our opportunity to make some noise about the problems! The criminal faction that moves so easily across our border is a worry to everyone and clearly we are not in a position to combat the threat on our own - though we continue to do what is feasible in our various localities," she told the Range News.
"I hope this resolution helps put into proper perspective the expansive problem we face here; I hope it prompts more appropriate attention and response from those powers beyond us," said Cronberg, adding, "There seem to be some truly deaf ears. We have to keep sounding off if we're ever to be heard."
During last Tuesday's Bisbee City Council meeting, Bisbee City Manager Steve Pauken said the matter was moot since the Douglas City Council did not approve the resolution. He explained that Gomez wanted to gain the support of the border towns so that the Arizona League of Cities and Towns would engage in the effort to improve border security.
Bisbee Councilman Benny Scott was the only member who voiced his concerns about illegal immigration and supported Gomez' efforts.
"We need more border security," he said.
"There are drugs coming through our city and some of those coming across that are apprehended are child molesters, murderers, or have a criminal record," said Gomez, adding, "And I'm not talking about just Hispanics. There are Japanese and Chinese being caught. It's time that illegal immigration is stopped."
McCourt told the Willcox council at its June 21 meeting that the resolution would be on the agenda for adoption at the 2010 League Annual Conference, to be held Aug. 24-27 in Glendale.
At its June 9 meeting, the Douglas City Council listened to comments for nearly an hour after Gomez presented the resolution.
Gomez wanted to present the two-page resolution to the League of Cities and Towns so they would sign off on the document and pushing for more security on the border.
His concerns were for Douglas and its neighbors along with the safety of Douglas fire and emergency personnel, which service an area that extends into rural Cochise County and all the way to the New Mexico border, Gomez said.
"At one point we had more than 525 Border Patrol agents in Douglas," he said. "That number has dipped to less than 300."
Bisbee Councilman Mitch Lindemann said he had a problem with the resolution because, in his mind, it seems to call for the militarization of the border.
His fellow council member, Ivan Huish, questioned the power such a resolution might have.
"They haven't paid any attention to us up to this point. I don't know if a resolution is going to attract the federal government's attention. I applaud the effort by the mayor, but this won't be resolved in my lifetime."
Bisbee Councilman Bob Fernandez said the U.S. needs to look at itself as a contributor to the problem.
"Until we admit we are the biggest users of drugs, they will keep on coming," he said.
But neither Gomez's colleagues on the Douglas City Council or members of the Bisbee City Council voted to approve the resolution.
The resolution voices security concerns to the various federal and state agencies tasked with homeland security and requests additional physical and human resources as required to secure Arizona's borders and protect its public safety personnel and citizens from criminal activities.
Willcox City Council voted unanimously at its June 7 meeting to support and co-sponsor the resolution.
"Mayor Gomez from the City of Douglas is asking the Willcox City Council to be a joint sponsor" of the resolution, Willcox City Manager Pat McCourt said at that time.
"The proposed resolution calls for the federal government to provide secure borders," he told the council.
While there was little discussion prior to the vote, Vice Mayor Monika Cronberg said later, "I consider this Border Security Resolution simply our opportunity to implore our Federal Government to do its job, to enforce the reasonable laws already in place and to enable our people to have some security at least in one part of their lives."
"It's our opportunity to make some noise about the problems! The criminal faction that moves so easily across our border is a worry to everyone and clearly we are not in a position to combat the threat on our own - though we continue to do what is feasible in our various localities," she told the Range News.
"I hope this resolution helps put into proper perspective the expansive problem we face here; I hope it prompts more appropriate attention and response from those powers beyond us," said Cronberg, adding, "There seem to be some truly deaf ears. We have to keep sounding off if we're ever to be heard."
During last Tuesday's Bisbee City Council meeting, Bisbee City Manager Steve Pauken said the matter was moot since the Douglas City Council did not approve the resolution. He explained that Gomez wanted to gain the support of the border towns so that the Arizona League of Cities and Towns would engage in the effort to improve border security.
Bisbee Councilman Benny Scott was the only member who voiced his concerns about illegal immigration and supported Gomez' efforts.
"We need more border security," he said.
"There are drugs coming through our city and some of those coming across that are apprehended are child molesters, murderers, or have a criminal record," said Gomez, adding, "And I'm not talking about just Hispanics. There are Japanese and Chinese being caught. It's time that illegal immigration is stopped."
McCourt told the Willcox council at its June 21 meeting that the resolution would be on the agenda for adoption at the 2010 League Annual Conference, to be held Aug. 24-27 in Glendale.
At its June 9 meeting, the Douglas City Council listened to comments for nearly an hour after Gomez presented the resolution.
Gomez wanted to present the two-page resolution to the League of Cities and Towns so they would sign off on the document and pushing for more security on the border.
His concerns were for Douglas and its neighbors along with the safety of Douglas fire and emergency personnel, which service an area that extends into rural Cochise County and all the way to the New Mexico border, Gomez said.
"At one point we had more than 525 Border Patrol agents in Douglas," he said. "That number has dipped to less than 300."
Bisbee Councilman Mitch Lindemann said he had a problem with the resolution because, in his mind, it seems to call for the militarization of the border.
His fellow council member, Ivan Huish, questioned the power such a resolution might have.
"They haven't paid any attention to us up to this point. I don't know if a resolution is going to attract the federal government's attention. I applaud the effort by the mayor, but this won't be resolved in my lifetime."
Bisbee Councilman Bob Fernandez said the U.S. needs to look at itself as a contributor to the problem.
"Until we admit we are the biggest users of drugs, they will keep on coming," he said.
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| City Council approves tentative $32-million budget |
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of willcoxrangenews.com.
Freddie Farkel wrote on Jul 1, 2010 12:46 AM:
" Fightem' ovar thar, so we don't have to fightem' ovar hare".....if they were serious about the security of this country, they wouldn't have allowed over 10 million illegals into this country since 9-11 through the southern borders. "
Lee Spinks wrote on Jul 2, 2010 8:23 AM:
" There are errors in the report as to which members are of which council. "
David H wrote on Jul 3, 2010 1:23 AM:
" What's the problem? If your hear legaly, then fine, I have no problem. But if your illegal. Stay away! The goverment and local auth will be quick to tell you that going to Mexico is a bad idea because of the drug war going on. But won't do anything about them coming over here. Simple solution, close it both ways. You have to have a passport to go into Mexico now. Have the same for them. Don't have it, don't cross. "
corvid wrote on Jul 4, 2010 11:42 AM:
" iIlive a mile from Fort Bowie.3 years ago i would see a hundred footprints a night from people and drug smugglers.This morning...none....I don't think this is a real problem...just a too much Fox news watching problem... "
Frank wrote on Jul 4, 2010 2:03 PM:
" The only ones who are against the illegal immigration bill are people who are already illegaly here in the USA and don't want to loose their sugar sweet jobs. People who love America and want to stay become legal citizens. "
Charlie wrote on Jul 5, 2010 4:02 PM:
" There are two reasons people cross the border illegally. The first reason is economic; people in Mexico want a better life. The second reason is to smuggle drugs. Here's the solution to both problems. First, Americans need to stop buying drugs, or legalize them. Secondly, Americans need to quit allowing American corporations to manufacture cheap goods in Mexico for tax-free import into the U.S. In short, WE are the problem, and there isn't a wall big enough to keep immigrants from coming to the U.S. until WE quit buying illicit drugs and quit buying products assembled in Mexico for cheap sale in the U.S. by large U.S. companies. Are YOU willing to accept responsibility? "
richard a. winkler wrote on Jul 7, 2010 8:57 AM:
" The feds will not do their job and enforce the laws. As a result the border is wide open, and drugs and illegals come in at will. Now they are armed and it is dangerous. Arizona passed a law to do something about it, and now the feds have sued the state. What a horrendous waste of money and time.
Do your job fed and enforce the law and seal the border. "
Do your job fed and enforce the law and seal the border. "
phil wrote on Jul 7, 2010 11:33 AM:
" some comments:
Frank: I am against the SB1070 bill and I am a legal resident - so your statement is incorrect
Charlie: well stated.
IF the AZ legislature would enforce the 'employer sanctions' that they have on the books and prosecute US citizen drug users as though "They are aiding and abetting the enemy."' (Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa own words) we would be better served than with SB1070. "
Frank: I am against the SB1070 bill and I am a legal resident - so your statement is incorrect
Charlie: well stated.
IF the AZ legislature would enforce the 'employer sanctions' that they have on the books and prosecute US citizen drug users as though "They are aiding and abetting the enemy."' (Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa own words) we would be better served than with SB1070. "
David Scott wrote on Jun 30, 2010 5:44 PM: