"We have lost our ambition, our imagination, and our willingness to do the things that built the Golden Gate Bridge" - Barack Obama (aka President Malaise)
The Manassas Park Statement On Illegal Immigration
By Greg L | 22 August 2007 | Manassas Park | 31 Comments
I’ve obtained a copy of the statement agreed to at last night’s meeting of the Manassas Park Governing Board. The most egregious part this statement is the first paragraph, where the city essentially declares war against the hundreds of City residents who have become members of Help Save Manassas, which is clearly the organization being referred to here.
A “vigilante agenda?” Just how does citizens asking their elected officials for action on the topic of illegal aliens unlawfully residing within a jurisdiction constitute a “vigilante agenda?”
Recently, a small faction of citizens crafted public statements that mislead others on the City of Manassas Park’s position on illegal immigration. This group’s false representation of the City’s position serves only to support a vigilante agenda that the City believes is irresponsible and offensive to everyone who productively serves the community in volunteer, elected and paid positions.
The City’s position is no secret to those who take the initiative to get informed. Federal and state authorities, on the law making and enforcement sides of the house, recognize Manassas Park as one of the first jurisdictions to request legislation that would legally support municipalities’ efforts to combat illegal residency. Manassas Park will continue to work aggressively with federal and state agencies to address all criminal activity, including illegal residency. In the interim, the City will monitor neighboring jurisdictions’ initiatives to identify individuals as illegal and will implement similar approaches if these measures provide legal and effective. A recent decision by a U. S. District Court in Pennsylvania struck down efforts by the City of Hazleton, Pennsylvania to enact ordinances that regulate the presence and employment of illegal immigrants. While not binding in Virginia, this decision serves as a sobering reminder that we must proceed with diligence.
The City of Manassas Park is proud of its diversity. Our efforts will make clear the distinction between illegal residency and a varied cultural presence within our borders. The City believes most residents in Manassas Park are legally present and moved to this area to create a better life for their respective families. The City will continue to provide resources and services to support all legal residents.
It’s interesting to look at the second paragraph and contrast it with an email exchange I had with council member Fran Kassinger in November, 2006, when I asked her whether the city would consider participating in the Section 287(g) Program. Ms. Kassinger was initially very enthusiastic about exploring the program, and requested it be placed on the Governing Board’s agenda. A few more messages later, I got this on November 17th:
from the mayor……
We have members of the PD who are already involved in the ICE training. We have been successful in using the ICE channels to get individuals deported — just have not made an issue of the event because of community perception concerns.
–
Frank Jones
Mayor
City of Manassas Park, VA
I submitted a Freedom Of Information Request on November 29th, since it seemed awfully strange that the city would have secretly enrolled in a program with a federal agency without disclosing this to the public, and expended taxpayer funds for this purpose secretly. I sent the following request:
From: Greg Letiecq
To: John Evans
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 12:33 AM
Subject: FOI requestChief Evans,
To what degree is the City of Manassas Park Police Department
participating in the Section 287(g) Program under the Immigration and
Naturalization Act of 2005? Has the city entered into a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency? How
many officers received ICE training so far, if any?Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions
regarding this request.Regards,
Gregory Letiecq
The response I got on December 5th was very strange:
In accordance with 2.2-3704, Code of Virginia, this agency has no public records to provide regarding the matters you requested.
If I may be of further help, please let me know.
K.L. Barton
Administrative Lieutenant
703-361-1136
So here’s a case where someone actually did contact the Governing Board about what was going on, and was told inconsistent and contradictory information about what the city was actually doing. Either the police department was unlawfully withholding information here, or the Mayor was lying to council member Kassinger, who forwarded that response on to me. Given that Manassas Park has suddenly decided to participate in the Section 287(g) Program without any public notice, it would seem that Mayor Frank Jones was lying then as it would not be necessary for the park to enroll in a program now that it is already participating in.
Of note, Frank Jones said during this exchange that if I had any questions or concerns, I should come to a meeting of the Governing Board and speak during citizen’s time. Last evening, Help Save Manassas Legislative Director Maureen Wood was denied a request to speak during citizen’s time because she is not a resident of Manassas Park. I imagine this policy is wildly popular with business owners in Manassas Park who don’t live within the jurisdiction, who now are now not permitted to ask for redress of their grievances before the elected officials of Manassas Park in a public forum.
What a mess.
UPDATE: The Washington Post has an article about this here, and the DC Examiner has a good article on this here.
The opinions expressed here are solely the views of the author, and not representative of the position of any organization, political party, doughnut shop, knitting guild, or waste recycling facility, but may be correctly attributed to the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy. If anything in the above article has offended you, please click here to receive an immediate apology.
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31 Comments
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When is the next election in MP?
November, 2008, unless there’s a recall.
November, 2008. The following are up for re-election:
Jones
Polk
Treuting (appointed)
Miller (appointed)
Gardner
Here is what the MJM had to say.
http://www.manassasjm.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MJM/MGArticle/WPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352474727&path=
What methodology did the governing body of Manassas Park use to determine “most residents in Manassas Park are legally present”? How do they know this? Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to support the statements made with actual facts rather than speculation? As a citizen of Manassas Park I take Fran Kassinger’s statement on ethnic cleansing seriously. I hope she is legally prepared to back up her statement with fact otherwise this is a a textbook case of slander.
I love how they throw the word “vigilante” around, as though we’re skulking around in capes and cowls like friggin’ Batman.
I am also somewhat amused that the second paragraph of the statement pronounces “the City’s position is no secret to those who take the initiative to get informed”, when over and over Jones has boasted of his enforcement measures that dare not speak their name. Like some sort of bizarre double-secret enforcement the people just couldn’t be bothered to know about.
Nothing to see here, just your local government “at work”. What a pompous ass.
I thought the government was supposed to represent the legal citizens and do what the legal citizens want???? Sounds to me like they are doing what they want instead regardless of what the people want.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070822/NEWS01/70822014/-1/MOMS02
We need to get this going here!
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6970213&nav=menu36_3
And some of this too! Why isn’t this stuff happening yet?!? Until this happens nothing will change.
To Park’d
Here is the cast of characters that need to go: Keith Miller, Frank Jones, Bryan Polk, Fran Kassinger (who thinks you need to call the State and the Feds and doesn’t want to be bothered). Please read Today’s Wash Po Metro Section page 1 and page 8, Thursday August 23, 2007. Then call up these characters and ask them to explain their statements.
Also, remind them that you are a citizen and vote. Remind them illegal aliens can’t vote unless the City Council has already given illegal aliens voting rights.
How much money in MP coffers comes from non-housing tax revenue?
If nothing else, everyone needs to know the precise physical boundaries of MP and TAKE YOUR MONEY ELSEWHERE.
Want a laugh?
http://www.manassasjm.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MJM%2FMGArticle%2FWPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352474798&path=!news
anon on 23 Aug 2007 at 8:36 am
I thought the same thing when I signed up to speak at their citizens time and was denied. Prince William and the city of Manassas let non-residents speak at their citizens time and they usually have more than ONE or TWO speakers. The arrogance of the mayor is astounding!
Patty is right about reading today’s WaPo Metro Section. Please also read “Progress Cited on Fairfax Crowding” which starts on Page 1 as well.
Yesterday, Greg L. posted an entry titled, Gerry Connolly Has His Head in the Sand”. It was a rather biting attack on Fairfax County’s illegal immigration approach in general and Gerry Connolley in particular. And it came with multiple links to WaPo articles supposedly slamming Connolly. In fact, several of the articles did not even mention Connolly, one quoted him in a somewhat positive manner (one sentence) and one actually did criticize him. Today, there is a WaPo article basically saying that the Code Task Force (which Greg L. slammed yesterday) is working.
Meanwhile, Manassas Park has utterly rejected Greg L and Corey Stewart’s approach.
Meanwhile, in the Virginia Briefing on Page 6 of today’s WaPo Metro Section, there are two crimes documented. In the first, $10,000 worth of guns were stolen from a Prince William County gun shop. The police have a suspect - Michael Wayne Lewis II. In the second, a woman robbed and apparently carjacked a 59 year old man at knife point at 1:25 p.m. in Manassas.
I suggest that Greg L. and the PWC residents on this blog spend their time trying to fix the problems in your “neck of the woods” rather than complaining about Fairfax County. We have our problems (the current BoS being one of those problems). However, we are dealing with our problems without national headlines or charges of racism. Maybe you should try the same.
MW,
There is a quick cure for not being a resident. Go by any one of the HOTELS on Manassas Drive, pick an address, and use it. I have a sneaking suspicion that Jellyfish Jones and the Flounders have no clue who lives in MP and it would take them months to find out you didn’t live there. By then, you would have spoken.
Lets see, how do you say Wood in Spanish…..Madera? Maureen Madera…there you go.
Manassas Park = Arlington of the West
Park’d - sounds like you have the perfect opportunity to be mayor! Start lining up with others from HSM and run against the Board members up for reelection next year. Legal voters can take over!
Dolph,
Good point. or use an address of a vacant lot behind a 7-11 like the MURDERER Jose David Martinez-Zeron did that Manassas Park and the City of Manassas POLICE did not pick up on when he was arrested in MP for fake Id’s, etc , only to be released to commit a murder a few days later….FOR ALL THAT ARE UNAWARE OF THIS STORY, see the threat Another Grisley Murder.
*thread (NOT threat)
Seems that if MP does not have something specific written into their bylaws that says only MP residents can speak, they are leaving the door wide open for a lawsuit.
In fact, they might be infringing on my constitutional rights when they subdue my freedom of speech, even if such a policy is in effect. Especially if I come from a neighboring community.
What would they tell the non-tax paying illegal alien MP resident (or for that matter, Maryland resident) that wanted to present? “You can not speak because you are here illegal, and you do not pay taxes here”, I bet not. They would be hearing from lawyers the next day!
The ONLY reason why Maureen Wood was turned away is they know whom she is, and what she stands for, and that she opposes their policies.
Maureen, use your resources, check their legal position.
“Meanwhile, Manassas Park has utterly rejected Greg L and Corey Stewart’s approach”
Yes, they have indeed. And THAT is why Manassas Park is the toilet that it is.
I say we Americans boycott ALL businesses in Manassas Park, not that I shopped there anyways. I will buy nothing in MP until the illegals are gone. NOTHING!
redawn,
Perhaps she could even sign up as Jose David Martinez-Zeron. Do you think Jellyfish Jones and the Flounders would even bat an eye?
Power of One,
You make some very good points.
Dolph,
Sad but true~ And Yes, Power of One makes some very good points.
Dolph,
What do you think the theme song should be for Jellyfish Jones and The Flounders?
redawn,
How about: taaaaahhhhhh daaaaahhhhh
Wastin’ away again in margaritaville
Searching for my lost shaker of salt
Some people claim that theres a woooooman to blame
But I know its my own damn fault
Brought to you by the ever popular JJ and the Flouders
Dolph, Good one….. COME ON PARK’D…get back in the game!
I dont know the reason
I stayed here all season
Nothin to show but this brand new tattoo
But its a real beauty
A mexican cutie
How it got here I havent a clue
They should also sing ‘we got to get out of this place, if it’s the last thing we ever do”
“The City believes most residents in Manassas Park are legally present…”
The MP city council cannot possibly believe this statement is true. Why would they include such an obvious misrepresentation? This is either designed as deception or it’s incredible incompetence. If this is a white-wash, what is there reasoning. Have they figured out that the local economy is operating under the table? Have they calculated that without the illegals the tax base collapses? Forclosures become so rampent that property values collapse? Can this scenario cause the city to fail? Are they afraid of legal suits by hispanic interests.
These leaders aren’t stupid. So…Why the double-speak?
If I’m off base please explain….
MP Business Owner: Since the jurisdiction is only narrowly majority-minority, and Hispanics do not account for an absolute majority, and given that some portion of them are legal, this statement would most likely be accurate.
Regardless, it is meaningless. Is there really a policy difference between having a jurisdiction 49% illegal alien and 51% illegal alien, even though the actual number is likely far less? The real policy difference exists once you cross the threshold between zero percent and above zero percent. Since MP has acknowledged that they have crossed this actually meaningful threshold, their reluctance to act is troubling.
Somewhere in this whole story being told by each and every citizen, there must be some sense of accountability from within your own communities. How did so many of your next door neighbors sell or knowingly rent out their homes to these illegals? These are people who were your friends, neighbors you had cook outs with share your own politics, went to the same churches on sunday and had your children grew up around. Seems to me that this problem has been around for quite some time and why all of a sudden is everyone realizing just waking up to it today?