Members Speak Out: Our Council has failed to lead
Chris Nava
by Chris Nava
I came away angry and extremely disillusioned after the Wednesday City Council meeting. Angry because I had just witnessed a group of council members deny Council woman Olga Diaz her proposed request to have the city go on record as opposing the Arizona “show me your papers’ law and to propose that the council rescind the onerous resolution 2007-16. I, along with many others who came prepared to speak on the issue, found myself completely shut out of any discussion on an issue that is clearly a front and center problem in Escondido.
Make no mistake about it, the procedural rule Council member Daniels used to shut down the discussion was craftily researched and prepared behind the scenes when Olga refused to pull her items from the agenda. The excuse given by Olga’s colleagues that they worried that allowing Olga to present her resolution would polarize the city further, and worst “create a circus” is an affront to Olga and to serious thinking citizens who understand that the city is already deeply mired in racism and that the divisiveness that exists has been further deepened by the actions of the city council.
No one can deny that our nation’s immigration system is terribly broken and that reform is necessary if the U.S. is to survive as a healthy country. That will only happen when the public is able to engage in intelligent discussion and when all sides come together to offer constructive solutions to the problem.
Hateful diatribes and shouting disrespectfully in Council chambers will never heal and bring about good outcomes.
The city council had an opportunity to begin anew the healing process, and sadly, a majority turned their backs on it by refusing discussion of the proposed resolution and the proposed motion to rescind resolution 2007-16. The Escondido City Council cannot afford to keep digging itself deeper in a quagmire that further divides the city. It needs to lead by allowing discussion and providing a platform for its citizens to work together towards solutions and greater community.
I was one of the angry. I do not understand prejudice. I do not understand intolerance. I do not understand racism.
But, I do understand words and actions. The words and actions of Councilman Daniels and Mayor Pfeiler were and are: beyond belief.
Unfortunately, I had my fill of council BS and lost my mind when that man yelled at Olga. I will not apologize for getting angry and yelling back. For the Council to shut (the people of Escondido) out of the conversation, then what can they expect?
I support Olga. Wednesday night taught me a very valuable lesson: I cannot sit on my butt and watch the elections creep up on me! I’m gonna work everyday to get the word out – Who we want in office and who we want out! Every day I will be supporting and promoting the candidates that will replace the incumbents. It’s just too bad that Abed will be there no matter what.
Anyway, thanks EDC for keeping us informed!
Lisa
San Diego Univision has a good report about Weds Council Meeting.
Check out this link: http://www.univisionsandiego.com/
…and select the video: “tecnicalidades controversiales” (on right side under “SD Contigo en el Aire”).
I don’t speak Spanish, myself, but it’s not hard to figure out what’s going on.
NOT ONLY THAT BUT! SD Councilman Tony Young serves the Escondido City Council Majority a big plateful of Absolutely-Not-Right!
It’s incredible that the city of SD adopted a resolution opposing SB 1070…the SD Unified School District adopted one…the City of Seattle too…
But, NOT Escondido! And how shall we respond:
We shall work our tails off to get their tails OUT OF OFFICE! Every Day I will work for Escondido’s future!