Hello everyone.
It went by so fast we nearly missed it. Tuesday night the city commission passed a resolution saying that English is our official language.
This is one of those hot-button issues that has no substance whatsoever. Nothing changes as a result of the action. The city does provide some information in other languages, but not a lot.
The state, earlier this year, passed the English is the official language bill, becoming the 30th state to do so. What it means is that the state, or cities, do not have to print material in other languages. States or cities "may" still do so if they want.
Still it is more of a symbolic move than anything else.
But what was interesting to me was the way it went down. This measure sneaked in the back door. It was legal, but just barely. It followed the letter of the law, but did not follow the spirit of the law.
The measure was added to the agenda Monday night. That it was going to be voted on was never made public. The paper is supposed to let people know what's on the agenda, and we do, but in this case, we didn't know either.
I was at the meeting Monday and it was not clearly stated that it was going to be added to the agenda. It was talked about some, but I didn't expect to hear it come up Tuesday.
Tuesday, at nearly the end of the meeting, it was brought up and voted on with very little discussion.
The move was symbolic in that it makes people feel like they are protecting the English language. It does reduce some paperwork, which may not be so bad.
There is another symbol here though, that I think is more important.
This commission has prided itself on being open and responsive to the public.
They have done well for the most part.
Sneaking something by is also symbolic of what is wrong with politics.
They did this to avoid a big public debate. You can hardly blame them for that. They didn't want the controversy, but still wanted to get the thing through.
Ive been accused of being a "homer" for the commission, only writing good things. I do try to be positive and present the facts. When I think they are wrong, I'll say that too.
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6 comments:
If only your attempt to stir up controversy and sell more papers was a valid point to make....
I realize that newpaper editors are not unbiased and that you are attempting to report the facts as you see them, but you have missed the mark on this one.
We passed this in the light of day
for everyone to see and YOU missed it. We had discussed this at a previous worksession as an ordinance and decided to bring it back up as a resolution instead of an ordinance. I don't believe you reported on that. So, as was requested by the commission, the City Attorney showed back up with none other than what we'd requested....a resolution. We didn't want to pass an ordinance because this is already law in the State and we didn't want to appear disingenuous. So, we decided a resolution would be more appropriate and convey what the majority believe and support--that English IS our official language and should be respected and upheld as such. It is discouraging to me that the very topic itself is even a topic. Now, if we have to pass an anti-flag-burning ordinance or a truth-in-news-reporting ordinance, please let me know and I'll be happy to bring that up. Unfortunately, we shouldn't have to do that either, but that's just how things seem to be at this point in history.
Just to review, the Monday Worksession of the Commission IS a public meeting. Do you know what that means? It is public. That is BOTH the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. Don't blame us if you weren't there or worse yet, if you were there, but not paying attention.
scott.m@myfuss.com
....by the way, I had trouble posting this so it might show I removed and reposted it twice.
Fair enough.
I did not hear anyone say it would be on the agenda Monday night. It seemed to be headed that way, but I thought it was not stated that way.
maybe it was after the executive session ?
I have since learned that it is not even a requirement in Kansas to have an agenda, or to follow one if you have it.
I did say that you guys did nothing wrong.
I was only questioning a matter of form, so to speak.
It is sad that people that do have foreign tongues are not welcome in Ark City. In Germany there are things written in both languages. In their schools they are taught to speak in English as well. However, it is very evident that they don't like Americans in their towns, drinking and making messes in their streets. There are graffiti sayings such as Yankee go home here and there. I know how it feels to go from town to town a person only tolerated for my money. Something they have to put up with because we bring money to areas that need us and my money. I don't know if German is the official language. I will have to check that out. I do know the feeling we have as visitors that are not made to feel that we belong there or are wanted. I think anyone of foreign tongue be they Asian, Mexican, Honduran, Cuban, Vietnamese, German should be aware that Ark City likes you as long as you spend your money here but don't complain if you can't understand when there is danger around, or when you could be warned not to commit crimes, or when you could be saved medically if you only understood the warnings. The ultimate shame is passing this "resolution" behind closed doors. Are you all members of the Border Patrol or Minutemen? I wouldn't be surprised.
It is sad that people that do have foreign tongues are not welcome in Ark City.
That really isn't fair i dont think.
Theres a lot of politics on both sides, and a lot of playing with words.
It is largely a meaningless statement.
But English is our langauge. I am all for helping people as much as possible, but I am not sure we have to accomodate everyone in every language.
Where do you draw the line ?
Just the people I know of, in Arkansas City there are Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese and Korean speakers who do not speak English all that well. Do we produce every city document in all of those langauges?
Declaring an official language does not really affect anythiing the city does.
Maybe it just riles up people on both sides of the immigration issue.
My only point was that I didn't like the way they went about it.
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