A few months back, in my city, three members of the Yorba Linda city council, in the absence of the other two members, saw fit to entertain and grant a motion to issue a “Proclamation” in support of the recent and controversial Arizona immigration law, SB 1070.
The Yorba Linda ‘Proclamation’ states: “Whereas, the state of Arizona, who like the state of California, is in the dire straights of enduring the brunt of most of the illegal crossings of the national border”. Nowhere in the Yorba Linda Proclamation does it cite the nexus or relationship to the Arizona law and events in Arizona to any issue existing in Yorba Linda.
The state of Arizona has in recent years, been plagued with violent crime related to the trafficking of human beings and drugs across its borders. In Phoenix there were 267 kidnappings in 2009 and 299 in 2008. The assaults on U.S. law enforcement on the border increased by 46% in 2008, totalling 1097 incidents.
In March, an Arizona rancher, whose family had owned and operated the ranch since 1907, was murdered on his own property in an area of his ranch that had been known to be used for trafficking of humans and illegal drugs across the U.S./Mexico border. The rancher, Robert Krentz, was found dead in his ATV with the lights on and the motor running. His last words on the radio to his brother were “illegal alien”. The week prior to the death of Robert Krentz, 290 pounds of marijuana were found on his ranch along with eight illegal immigrants who were arrested. It was assumed that Robert’s murder was in retaliation for the arrest the week before. There are no suspects in the murder and it is assumed the suspect escaped back into northern Mexico, not likely to be located or apprehended.
There are no recent events in Yorba Linda that resemble in any way the horrific conditions and situations facing the citizens of Arizona living in close proximity to the Mexico border. The Yorba Linda ‘Proclamation’ does not state any policy or directive, it does not suggest that any action whatsoever be taken by the city of Yorba Linda. It does not set forth any agenda that the city of Yorba Linda will implement to deal with or address illegal immigration. It does not outline any problems, crimes, murders, kidnappings or violence related to illegal immigration occurring in Yorba Linda.
The city of Costa Mesa recently declared itself a “Rule of Law City”. The Costa Mesa council, noting the importance of this issue, set policy directives as well as sending a strong message to illegal immigrants, that they are not welcome in that city and that the laws of the state and federal governments will in fact be enforced in Costa Mesa. In the face of some city governments whom have indicated they will be “sanctuary” cities for illegals, and cities like Los Angeles whom have initiated boycotts of Arizona businesses because of this important issue, it is important to take a stand. The “stand” that the city of Yorba Linda has officially taken however, rings hollow in its lack of real effect or impact.
In a recent candidate’s forum for the ongoing City Council race, one incumbent candidate defended the actions of the three council members who issued the proclamation, claiming that “it got a lot of attention”. Getting attention is the job of a politician. Setting policy and providing leadership, guidance and direction, these are the jobs of elected officials. This blatantly political move was a mere political gesture and an inappropriate usage of city resources for the apparent political gain and agenda of the three council members bringing it forth.
This five paragraph “Proclamation” fell sadly short of actually accomplishing anything at all, except for taking up an entire evening of a televised city council meeting. We should have a city government that is focused on the needs of our city, focused on the issues as they present and exist in our city, and receptive to the views and needs of all of our citizens. That is the kind of city government that I will work toward if elected to the Yorba Linda City Council.
What the citizens of Yorba Linda should be asking is this: What is each of the elected Yorba Linda Council members doing to advance the best interests of Yorba Linda, other than political grandstanding that helps them get their names in the paper in an election year?
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