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By NANCY VICKERS-PYLE
Highlands Today
AVON PARK - “Thank you for calling the city of Avon Park. For English, press one.†That message continues with similar words in Spanish.
But that is subject to change if City Council members give final approval to an ordinance that makes English the official language of the city on July 10.
That ordinance was added to the council agenda late last week and was given initial approval by the council at the regular meeting Monday.
The ordinance goes beyond declaring an official language. The ordinance provides a $1,000 fine to any landlord who rents property to illegal aliens and the same fine for any person or business that knowingly employs an illegal alien.
TBO POLL:
Mayor Tom Macklin introduced the Illegal Immigration Relief Act Ordinance that mirrors an ordinance that was also initially approved by the city of Hazleton, Pa.
“I would like to have the City Council pass this on first reading. We have been hamstrung and handcuffed by the issues of having illegal aliens around. This is something the majority of the community would support.
“This would send a strong message to the community on what it is we’d like to do, and put the rest of the county on notice that if we make it difficult for illegal aliens to do business here they will go somewhere else,†Macklin said.
City Councilman Doug Eason made the motion to pass the ordinance and Macklin seconded it. Council members George Hall and Sharon Schuler voted no and Brenda Gray joined Macklin and Eason’s vote of approval.
“If there’s no legal housing for illegal aliens, then they won’t necessarily live in this area,†Macklin added.
“Very few of them are going to walk here from Lake Placid to find work. Our first line of defense is the landlords that typically rent or lease to illegal aliens,†he said.
Macklin said illegal aliens were living in deteriorated housing and were taking jobs from legal citizens.
“There are a number of jobs out there that we could be doing if it wasn’t for the fact that some employers hire illegal immigrants for cheap labor taking jobs from people who could do the work,†Macklin said.
Establishing English as the official language of the city would apply to all official city business, not to private businesses or conversations on the street, he said.
“We’re not singling any language out or any respective community,†he said.
Not Right
Maria Rodriquez is the director of the Florida Immigration Advocacy, a pro immigration group. “It’s sad that a municipality would be preoccupied with something that is already in place on the federal level. This sends a message of exclusion rather than integration and inclusion. I’m not a lawyer but I don’t think it is legal to discriminate. I believe it is unconstitutional. This is racial profiling.†Rodriquez said.
Rodriquez said her research shows that about four of 20 businesses in the city were of Latino derivation and that the ordinance was sending a hostile message to the Hispanic population.
She said she was not aware that Hispanics were contributing to criminal activity but if that were the case local law enforcement would be the entity that would respond to that. Ray Royce, director of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, said the same thing and added, “If you have a deteriorating neighborhood, then code enforcement deals with that.â€
Hall said that he wanted to know more about how the ordinance would be enforced.
“It’s like the fire assessment tax. If we can’t enforce it, then it isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on,†Hall said.
Royce said enforcement is already in place with the Immigration and Naturalization Services, and that citrus growers depend on migrant labor. Growers he knows employ legal immigrants, he added.
“But for a town to start profiling people, that can be very dangerous. Are they going to go house to house? Will they be able to verify the documentation?†Royce asked.
“What he wants is a little clamor, a scare tactic to try and get Hispanics to move out of Avon Park. There are jobs out there like picking fruit or pulling weeds that most of us prefer not to do. When you have full employment like you do here, you need immigrant labor to do the work, long-term and legally.
“There’s a few bad apples in any ethnic group. What I found when I was in private business is that Hispanics are good family people, are hard-working and I applaud them for that.
Royce said, “They are making money here and sending it home. They also spending money here. They shop in Winn-Dixie. They are paying sales tax on gas and food. I don’t see a lot of Hispanic criminal activity here but if there is than that falls to law enforcement. If you have poor housing and neighborhoods that are deteriorating, you have code enforcement in place.â€
Is It Constitutional?
Jeanne Butterfield is the executive director of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She said such an ordinance would likely “wind its way through the legal system before it will be determined whether it is constitutional or not.â€
“Generally, immigration issues are dealt with federally and not on the state level,†Butterfield said.
She said federal policy on immigration found some states’ attempt to use trespassing charges to bar immigration as unconstitutional.
Therefore, it is likely, local immigration ordinances would go the same way.
On the subject of English language only, Butterfield said there is no federal law that mandates English only, with good reason.
“Immigrants want to learn the English language,†she said, backing that with the miles long lists of immigrants who want to take ESOL courses, English speaking classes for those who speak other languages.
She said learning to speak English for immigrants is a process. By the third generation, most have lost their native language. It helps the integration. It makes them more informed citizens.
Federal policy already requires employers to verify an employee’s status, and that there are too many methods of getting citizenship for a landlord to be able to determine whether someone was legal or illegal.
“What would happen is a landlord might try to avoid renting to anyone who looked or sounded foreign,†Butterfield said.
She said the landlord issue most likely violates equal protection laws.
Welcome to the latest installment of “Redneck Blog.”
You people amaze me with your ignorance. But, in fairness, you are not to blame: Screaming “learn the language” and “they take our jobs and fill up our prisons” is just a clear indication that your sorry @ss parents failed to raise you properly.
To the woman who complains that she has to “Dial 1 for English”....are you that obese that you get winded pressing a button?
I have news for you, most of the immigrants I know ARE learning English, and will eventually speak it better than you do through your one good tooth. English isn’t learned at the snap of a finger: something painfully obvious reading through your ignorant posts.
Take off the hood, get out of the 4X4, and jump into the 21st century. All your complaining will not change a thing.
The bottom line is: uneducated, ignorant rednecks are just peeved that they are on the bottom of the social ladder again. And the bottom feeders always need someone to hate....
Kellie:
If you want people to take you seriously, I would refrain from quoting M&M (I prefer peanut).
Thanks for the laugh, though....
Ahhhh, youth today. I mourn our future.
People need to take a good look around and see whats happening. what this monster is doing that we have empowered. sure the illegals need to be stopped but this is just another one of Bush’s ploys to take the heat off him while he continues his campaign of blood for oil. Everywhere you look the government is taking control of peoples liberties and moving scarily more towards a tolatarian government. And nobody will realize it until its too late and our country is its own red corner. In Eminems words The stars and stripes, they’ve been swiped, washed out and wiped. Everyone should watch V for Vendetta and see what outcome is going to come from this evil power in control of our country.
HISPANICS WERE ONCE THE MINORITY, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE AMERICANS ARE. NOT ONLY DO THEY MULTIPLE LIKE RABBITS, AND THE TAXPAYERS ARE FOOTING THE BILL(MEDICAIAD, WIC, FOOD STAMPS ETC.) BUT THEY DON’T PAY INCOME TAXES. THEY CLAIM THE MAX THEY CAN ON THEIR W-4 SO EITHER VERY LITTLE OR NOTHING COMES OUT OF THEIR CHECK. THEY CAN’T SEEM TO SPEAK OR READ SPANISH, BUT THEY NOW HOW TO COLLECT WELFARE. IF YOU WANT TO LIVE IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY--YOU SHOULD ABIDE BY OUR RULES, NOT US CATER TO YOU BECAUSE YOU’RE A MINORITY. I KNOW SINGLE PARENTS WHO WORK AND BARELY GET BY AND RECIEVE NO GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THEY DON’T QUALIFY. (YES MOST OF THEM ARE WHITE.)DO YOU THINK MEXICO WOULD FOOT THE BILL TO CARE OF MY KIDS? I THINK NOT.
Hola! I’m a young Puerto Rican, born and raised in the island, I speak English, I own a house, and pay taxes, not like someone mentioned before like if we just come here to live of the government.(not all) I love the city of Tampa, I moved here from the north of the state and my kids were born here in the U.S. They speak perfect English & Spanish and I am very proud of them! I will continue to encourage them to keep their second language. I think that most of the negative comments posted here are in discrimination against people and not about a language. Arriba Mexicans keep working hard & learn english. God Bless you all!
Go Avon Park,,,,, “WHY THE HELL DO I HAVE TO PRESS ONE FOR ENGLISH”
Part 3
I also think there are bigger problems at hand…
Again, imagine that you did get your way.. And ALL the immigrants were sent to their native lands… don’t you think that a huge number of people would be mad? Don’t you think you could turn people on each other?
You just don’t think.. it just sounds patriotic to support a movement that pushes non-Americans out… but you never consider working things out with them first.... You want to support the country that loves and supports you???? Then join the military… like many ‘immigrants’ are finding ways to do!!
I’d call you names,.. but I’m not you.
Oh and don’t kid yourselves.. you are not ‘accomodating’ us!~~ You are trying to make us feel at home by offering many services in Spanish… It’s all about the money!! You are just trying to tap into the HUGE Hispanic Buying Power!! That’s right! That is why many companies do offer a “for spanish press X button"… because they know.
Also, imagine yourself traveling to France and not knowing much French. First thing you would do is ask for an English speaker. Well, back in Tampa, people from other countries visit this place for vacation reasons.. wouldn’t it be normal for them to ask for a Spanish speaker? So if English was the only language, then it would cut off many tourists opps.
I say cutting Spanish is a very good idea if you want to lose on the Hispanic power we bring to Tampa!
Part 1
Unbelieveable… but lets think about it for a second…
Who is this all targeted to? The current hispanic community that live and work in Avon Park? Or the low-income non-English speaking immigrants that ‘eat’ off our taxes and take our low-paying jobs?
This all sounds really stupid to me. Sure I understand that people are jumping borders and working illegally. But did you people know that every dollar earned and spent in this country actually HELPS the economy??
There are many English/Spanish people in Tampa that are highly educated and make beyond a decent pay.
Seriuosly, you need to find out what the problem is, before you make all the hispanics leave!
I think it’s a great idea! I’d move there if it passes.
This ordiannce needs to be national. citizenship requires aliens to speak read and write English. Enghlish is our de facto national languaage. Why should spanish speaking individuals be given preference over many others that come her and work hard to become citizens. I am an American and I Speak English. If I go to another country to work out of respect for that courntyr I learn their language. Why should we change over two hundered years of our national heritage so that Corporations can milk the cheap laber card by changing our lawas and culture for spanish speakingindividuals.
Edward Arnold
Annette,
I am not hispanic, but I do not believe billingual a plus to mean “hispanic”. I am learning Spanish and see it as education that can help me in the future...after that I will try to learn another.
True—this is a country of immigrants. However, the issue is about illegal aliens—people who are in this country illegally, regardless of their country of origin.
And it is about accommodating one culture, those who speak spanish, over all other immigrants who were not accommodated regarding the requirement to speak English. All of those who immigrated from Viet Nam, Russia, Haiti, etc. have learned, or, are learning, to speak English as they truly desire to be a part of this country.
It is extremely annoying to witness the favortism given to those who speak Spanish. Especially those who are in this country illegally. It is outrageous that they think they have any RIGHTS in this country.
All of those who are in this country illegally, regardless of their country of origin, should be deported.
I was actually raised in Avon Park (don’t laugh) and can honestly say this law may be beneficial. At this point, all you see in that quaint little town anymore is Mexicans standing in front of laundromats and gawking at the white women in jiffy stores. It’s very disheartening, also, to be discrimated against in trying to find a job because I can’t speak another country’s national language! Something needs to be done & hopefully my little home town will start something big!
Please read the plaque at the bottom of the statue of liberty...it doesn’t say “give me your rich, your highly educated, sic et al”...I agree that any other country would not have a debate over the National Language, however, this isn’t any other country. The very thing you are angry over and telling people to “go the hell back to your beloved country” are the reasons this country was founded. A little understanding goes a long way. You let a few bad apples rot the whole basket. Most of the crime in this country is committed by natural born 3rd and 4th generation “Americans”. As far as slamming Puerto Ricans, Puerto Rico is an American colony. We tax them and they have almost no representation in our government and cannot vote in the Presidential elections. We need to quit speaking in generalities and get down to reality. If Ellis Island had had people like some of you, YOU wouldn’t be here now because your families would have never been
approved for citizenship.
1. There is noting wrong with speaking your native toungue, if you take the initiative to learn the national language.
2. Not all spanish speakers are illegal.
3. Not all Puerto Ricans are lazy, with loud music, and drive crazy (this comment is directed to an earlier statement made by someone who obviously lacks the knowledge to make a point w/o stereotyping)
4. Not all illegals are hispanic and we should focus on all if the TRUE problem is that they are illegal and not that they have brown skin.
Dont we have alot more problems in this country right now than illegal alians??
This whole thing is a great political smoke screen, and the funny thing is ...IT’S WORKING!!
Lets just bring up a few things that might need a LITTLE more attantion right now.
A war which we have no clue how to get out of where American Men and women
( some of which are immigrents) are being killed by the hour, Unafordable insurance,unaforadble housing, no health care, and a moron...excuse ME!! a GROUP of morons steering the ship!!
Does immagration need reform, YES, but not now....
I am self made, well educated, I defended this country during the Gulf War, am bilingual, and my parents are Puerto Rican. Mr. Hanin, your ignorance is overwhelming. Puerto Rican’s are citizens, just like I presume you are. We are entitled to that because your great America has benefitted from P.R.’s proximity to Cuba, as the first line of defense. If you had ever served this great nation, you would know that it is made up of Blacks, Hispanics, Phillipinos, and Native Americans. Those boys fighting our war are not all white, they are the minority. Say what you will about my people and other non-caucasians, but you are safe and free because of a large majority of us.
I totally agree with the City of Avon Park. This is America and our language is English. I think everyone is forgetting we are talking about “illegal” immigrants. We have laws and they need to be enforced. I was born and raised in the great State of Florida. I have been called a redneck and a cracker, and I am proud to be so called. The term was coined from hard working, honest people. My sons hunt, fish, drive trucks, and even have a confederate flag or two. We own a family business and have never had to take a penny from the US government, although, we support many slackers with our taxes. We believe in God, decency, helping our neighbors, and try not to unfairly judge others. We would never expect to visit a foreign country and have them speak English to accommodate us.
I’m a eurorurosouthernredneck-American, who spoke Spanish before English (my family on my Mom’s side came from Spain.) English is the language du jour around here. Get over it! Amigo, if you truly want to get ahead in a country, any country, you’d darn well better learn the local lingo.
I’ll buy the “illegals take the jobs Americans don’t want” argument when I see all the able-bodied career welfare puppies out picking strawberries.
Good for Avon Park! If they won’t learn English on their own, make it uncomfortable for them.
This is America. We’ve had an established language for 230 years now. If you are not here legally and don’t like our rules, get out. It’s that simple. We do need to be more proactive about kicking aliens out. As soon as those Fence Building Companies get going, I’ll be first in line to apply for a job. Don’t get me wrong I’ve got friends of all different ethnicities. But illegals taking our jobs and filling up our jails is just not right.
BEING A (BLACK)AMERICAN..WE THE PEOPLE SPANISH,ASIAN,BLACK,YOU SHOULD ALL MOVE OUT OF AVON PARK.AND LET THE COUNCIL PICK THERE OWN COTTON.
Here is another example of how catering to spanish speaking people is affecting our culture.
Quoting Monica Montez further up in the comments: “Oh by the way i get paid more money than you to speak 2 languages. Mexican-American and proud of it!”
Ms. Montez is paid a differential because she speaks spanish. She is probably taking a job away from someone who is more qualified, And is being paid more because she speaks spanish.
More and more jobs are advertised for “bilingual only or bilingual a plus,” which, of course, is code for spanish.
Move to Mexico, Ms. Montez. I guarantee that we won’t miss you.
Mr. Kurt, if you KNOW of an employer who has illegal immigrants, have YOU contacted the authorities? One is not necessarily an illegal immigrant because he speaks Spanish. I spoke several languages growing up, but that didn’t make me an illegal immigrant. Just as if someone speaks English does not mean that he couldn’t be an illegal immigrant. Our fore fathers would be turning in their graves: we’re fighting about religion and now freedom of speech. We’re more likely to be offended by someone trying to make a better life for his family, but can’t speak English than an American who’s cursing. I’ve been to France, Germany, Italy, etc. Guess what, they speak English, too. Some of you need to learn proper English (and spell correctly) before critizing those who are trying a second language. What resource did you use to get 82%? This land is a melting pot; your ancestors also migrated here!
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Posted by Harold Moore, Tampa on 06/29 at 03:49 PM
Kellie is all for “rights” as long as they’re the “rights” she supports. I wonder how she feels about the “right” to own a gun? If Bush is so into oil, why didn’t we just take it from Kuwait? They couldn’t fight back. Why not just start drilling in Alaska? Both would have been much easier than fighting in Iraq. If it’s wiretapping, and bank records she’s carping about, both have been happening for many years, long before Bush.
I love the political expert she quotes, Enema, the rap singer.