Meanwhile . . .

Last night, during the speechification at the joint session of congress, we had a bit of local drama happening. This city council work session was open for public observation but with no provision for comment from the public. There were a lot of citizens attending, and a couple of them were live-streaming the event.

Background: The Greeley CO community is roughly 55% white, 39% Hispanic; with the increasing immigrant population, there are presently more than 40 languages spoken in the county. Republicans comprise 38% of voters, the balance is shared by Democrats and unaffiliated voters. The county commission has been the exclusive domain of Republicans for more than two decades. In Greeley, Rochelle Galindo is the lone Democrat on city council, also the only Hispanic. Her request for a resolution was respectful and civil, noting the nervousness and fear among many residents. Keep in mind that this is the community where the meat plant raids made national news a few years back; it’s also where DA Ken Buck (who is now in congress) illegally raided a tax preparation business that serves the Hispanic community.

This squib is from the Colorado Independent (the Greeley Tribune got so much of it wrong that they have already promised to provide a more accurate account; the small bit quoted here is what they did manage to get right): http://www.coloradoindependent.com/164166/sactuary-city-colorado-shouting-match

“A Greeley City Council work session on Tuesday devolved into a shouting match after a council member suggested a resolution related to immigration,” reports The Greeley Tribune. “Reading from a prepared statement, Rochelle Galindo stressed the need for a resolution she said would put resident immigrants and others at ease, citing mistrust of the city and federal government among her constituents. When it came time to discuss the matter, Greeley Mayor Tom Norton grew visibly agitated, raising his voice while declaring there was no need for a resolution and denying any mistrust among Greeley residents.” The paper quotes the mayor as saying, “It’s unfair and unreasonable to assume there’s not trust. I’ve worked in this community for 50 years. I resent that fact that you think we are not (trusted) and we have to pass a resolution.”

Not noted in this squib, councilman Finn’s response to Galindo: “You’re in the wrong community.” There were audible gasps from observers.

Stay tuned.


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