4 A
❘
WEDNESDAY EDITION
❘ MARCH 29, 2017
Siuslaw News
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
NED HICKSON , EDITOR
Opinion
❘ 541-902-3520 ❘
EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM
The First Amendment
C
ongress shall make no law respecting an estab-
lishment of religion or prohibiting the free exer-
cise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of
the press, or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a
redress of grievances.
Biggest problem with ‘sanctuary’ is its lack of clarity
ly passed by the Eugene City
Council, polarized Florence
counselors during a March 22
work session.
Since then, it’s become a
topic that hints at a divide
within our own community as
we argue the merits of a term
which, ironically, has no offi-
Cities of Refuge” where per-
petrators of unintentional
harm could claim asylum.
This continued in 392 A.D.,
when
Christian
Roman
Emperor Theodosius set up
sanctuaries under church con-
trol — a proclamation that
lasted until 1621 A.D., when
the general right of sanctuary
for churches in England was
abolished.
Now, more than 300 years
later, it’s a term that has resur-
faced within our national dia-
logue as communities across
the nation debate its meaning
within the constructs of local,
state and federal government
as it relates to protecting the
rights of those living illegally
within the U.S.
This includes our own
Florence City Council, where
the proposal of a city ordi-
nance defining its stance on
the protection of individuals,
similar to an ordinance recent-
As a kid playing hide and
seek, the concept of “sanctu-
ary” was easy to understand;
make it back to a designated
spot before being seen and
you were safe. Your biggest
fear was another neighbor-
hood kid giving up your hid-
ing spot.
Or in my case, our family
dog getting out and tracking
me down thanks to the Jolly
Ranchers I kept in my pocket.
The concept of “sanctuary”
has been around for thousands
of years and can be traced as
far back as the Old Testament,
when the Book of Numbers
commanded a selection of “six
accused former New York
City mayor Rudi Giuliani of
running a sanctuary city, to
which Giuliani accused
Romney of running a sanctu-
ary governor’s mansion.
Or put another way:
“I know you are, but what
am I?”
From the Editor’s Desk
N ED H ICKSON
cial definition within our fed-
eral government.
It doesn’t help that even
those in our nation’s capitol
don’t seem to have a clear idea
of what defines a sanctuary
city, regardless of which side
of the aisle they’re on.
During the 2008 GOP race
for the presidential nomina-
tion, former Massachusetts
governor
Mitt
Romney
Seven years later in self-
proclaimed sanctuary city San
Francisco, following the tragic
shooting death of 32-year-old
Kathryn Steinle by illegal
immigrant and repeat felon
Juan Lopez-Sanchez, then
Democratic presidential nomi-
nee Hillary Clinton told CNN
that she “had absolutely no
support for a city that ignores
deportation rules.”
Yet, the following day,
Clinton told reporters that she
believed “...sanctuary cities
further public safety and has
defended those policies for
many years.”
The debate and posturing
continues today with little rea-
son to believe we’ll get any
clear definition from our
nation’s capitol anytime soon.
Which is maybe the way it’s
supposed to be?
The one thing all levels of
government agree on is that
immigration enforcement is a
federal responsibility. That
means state and local law
enforcement officials reserve
the right to decide to what
extent they are willing to
cooperate with the federal
government on immigration
enforcement.
In 1987, the message from
Oregon was pretty clear when
it passed Oregon Revised
Statute (ORS) 181.850, which
“prohibits law enforcement
officers at the state, county or
municipal level from enforc-
ing federal immigration laws
that target people based on
race or ethnic origin, as long
as those individuals are not
suspected of any criminal
activities.”
The
argument
from
Washington, D.C., of course,
is that being here illegally
constitutes “criminal activity.”
The question we need to
ask ourselves is whether we
are willing to define anyone
living in our community
without proper documenta-
tion as being criminal.
Or, decide against being
that neighborhood kid who
gives away others’ “hiding”
spot in what could become a
real-life hide and seek that is
anything but fun and games.
Write to Ned Hickson at
editor@thesiuslawnews.com
LETTERS
F LIES IN THE FACE OF
TRANSPARENCY
The press release issued by Chief Turner
(Feb. 3) regarding law enforcement agencies in
Oregon being prohibited from “apprehending
persons whose only violation of law is that they
are persons of foreign citizenship present in the
United States in violation of federal immigra-
tion laws” is unquestioned and welcome.
These immigrants have neither been accused
nor found guilty of any felony. However, it was
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USPS# 497-660
stated in the City Council work session on
March 22 that ORS 181A.820 places the same
onus on city employees.
I believe this is mistaken.
City employees are not state or local law
enforcement officers. Therefore, my request for
a draft ordinance covering all city employees is
not a replication of what is already in place.
Additionally, ORS 181A.820 prohibits local
law enforcement officials from collecting infor-
mation about the religious, political or social
views of any individual by the police unless that
information directly relates to criminal activity.
This should also be incumbent on city
employees. The proposal I made specifically
stated that it was not asking Florence to be
declared a sanctuary city, but rather that the
ordinance be accepted as “protection of individ-
uals.”
Yes, this a politically charged situation. But
several cities in Oregon have debated the issue
and have passed ordinances to include city
employees in protecting individuals from feder-
al immigration enforcement.
To bring this important issue up at a City
Council work session when the council had not
even seen the request prior to the meeting, and
when there was not a full council present, flies
in the face of transparency.
Ron Preisler,
Florence City Councilor
D ON ’ T INFLAME
POLITICAL DIVISION
So it appears the Florence City Council will
not hear a request for a city ordinance declaring
the town to be a sanctuary city as requested by
Councilor Ron Preisler. The article (Siuslaw
News, March 25) states a reason Mr. Preisler
gave for proposing the ordinance was that local
Latinos reported ICE had been in the area and
they were worried.
The fact is, if INS agents come to Florence
nobody can stop them.
Declaring Florence a sanctuary city does
nothing to enhance existing state law and would
only inflame political division.
Can an INS agent walk into city hall? Of
course. Are they prohibited from entering the
police department and having a cup of coffee? I
don’t think so. If they have cause can they stop
a person in Florence for questioning or make an
arrest? Yes.
If they request back up from the Florence
Police because an INS agent is in trouble will
the police say no? I doubt it.
W OULD RATHER SEE COOPERATION
I keep wondering when the Democratic
National Party higher-ups, the National News
media (TV, radio and print) will get over the
thunder and lightning bolt that struck in the wee
hours those many weeks ago on Nov. 9.
Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party
took a beating nationwide and they, as well as
many of our state and local citizens, still can’t
seem to get past it.
Four years from now — and I hope it will be
eight years from now — they will still be
scratching their heads as to how Donald J.
Trump got to sit in the Oval Office instead of
Hillary. I remember back during the campaign
hearing many of the so-called Hollywood elite,
as well as many national radio and TV anchors,
all predicting how Donald Trump would never
be president of the United States.
But it happened.
When will they get past it?
Though I am prepared to sit back and listen to
it, I would rather see and hear some cooperation
between the two parties for the good of our
great country. However, if the last 20 or weeks
is any indication of what we can expect, I don’t
hold much faith that cooperation will happen.
Ironically, I remember back during the
Obama administration how both Republican
Speakers of the House darn near gave him
everything he wanted.
God Bless our military and America.
Tony Cavarno
Florence
N EEDED REASSURANCE
I feel compelled to respond to the article
“Council declines agenda proposal” (Siuslaw
News, March 25).
I do not wish to be characterized as potential-
ly being part of a “huge backlash” or as some-
one who “will go ballistic” if the Florence City
Council produces a proclamation which,
according to Police Chief Tom Turner, merely
restates a policy already in place which pro-
hibits Oregon police officers from acting as
immigration enforcement officers.
Such a proclamation would serve to give
needed reassurance to our friends and neighbors
who are feeling vulnerable and frightened.
Barbara Holler
Florence
M AKING A MERICA “ GREAT ” FOR SOME
Between the allegations of possible collusion
of major Trump campaign officials with
Russian operatives, attempts at voter suppres-
sion and dark money buying candidaters due in
part to the Citizens United Supreme Court rul-
ing, it doesn’t feel much like a democracy to
me.
It certainly doesn’t feel like a government by
the people, for the people; instead, I fear it is
becoming a government by the very wealthy,
for the very wealthy.
The dismantling of our government is taking
place and, in doing so, is stripping protections
for the already disenfranchised — be it the poor,
the disabled, people of color, non-Christians
and those who want clean air and water, need
affordable housing, healthcare or education.
But there are plenty of tax cuts in the plans
for the super rich, demonstrating that the Trump
administration has little regard for those less
fortunate. In fact, it often feels like the adminis-
tration stokes hatred and violence towards
them.
What saddens me most is how this adminis-
tration is encapsulating the values of this coun-
try with the almighty dollar while dismissing
the notion of equality as an American ideal.
I guess it remains to be seen just how “great”
America will become — at least for some.
Julie MacFarlane
Florence
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John Bartlett
Jenna Bartlett
Ned Hickson
Susan Gutierrez
Cathy Dietz
Ron Annis
Jeremy Gentry
But Councilor George Lyddon (see correc-
tion, page A2) did ask a very important question
noted in the Siuslaw News article. He asked Mr.
Preisler if ignoring a portion of law is anarchy?
Mr. Preisler was quoted as replying that
answering that question was above his pay
grade.
In my opinion, it is not above Mr. Preisler’s
pay grade. Yes, it can lead to anarchy and even
civil war in the extreme.
If we can ignore immigration law (and I’m
not talking only about law enforcement) simply
because we disagree with it or find it immoral,
then where does that stop?
I disagree with many federal, state and local
laws. So does that make it OK for me to ignore
paying my property or income tax?
If Mr. Preisler believes immigration law is
immoral and possibly criminal in itself, I
wouldn’t worry about the loss of federal
monies. We have far worse problems for which
he should be in our federal legislators’ office
demanding change.
That’s how it’s done in a democracy.
Dave Peck
Florence
Pres. Donald Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
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Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
TTY/TDD Comments: 202-456-6213
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202-224-5244
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www.wyden.senate.gov
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley
313 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3753/FAX: 202-228-3997
541-465-6750
www.merkley.senate.gov
Gov. Kate Brown
160 State Capitol
900 Court St.
Salem, OR 97301-4047
Governor’s Citizens’ Rep.
Message Line 503-378-4582
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U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (4th Dist.)
2134 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6416
541-269-2609/ 541-465-6732
www.defazio.house.gov
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden
221 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
State Sen. Arnie Roblan (Dist. 5)
900 Court St. NE - S-417
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1705
FAX: 503-986-1080
Email:
Sen.ArnieRoblan@state.or.us
State Rep. Caddy McKeown
(Dist. 9)
900 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1409
Email:
rep.caddymckeown@state.or.us
West Lane County Commissioner
Jay Bozievich
125 E. Eighth St.
Eugene, OR 97401
541-682-4203
FAX: 541-682-4616
Email:
Jay.Bozievich@co.lane.or.us