HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-08-17 Public Comment - B. Smith - SanctuaryI want to urge the commission to look seriously into making Bozeman a sanctuary
city on the following grounds:
- Best use of resources.
We hear repeatedly about the challenges to our police force and the need for
improved facilities. We needn't commit them to an unfunded, imposed duty to
address an issue that is not a problem for our community.
- Economic
Our dairy farmers, potato farmers, construction industry and the hospitality
businesses cannot operate without immigrant labor. From my experience in both
dairy and potatoes it is not as though they are preventing Americans from taking
good paying jobs. In fact no one will take these jobs except for those desperate
enough to leave home and culture to do so. Considering the contribution of these
enterprises to the Bozeman economy we would be wise to make ourselves as
welcoming as possible.
- Public Well-Being
As the mayor stated so well there is a public benefit in health and safety to having
immigrants willing to work with health and law enforcement to avoid harm to
themselves and others.
- Humanitarian
Please consider how desperate the targeted folks are. They are leaving dangerous
situations and/or poverty to work hard, menial jobs in a cold, alien land where their
culture and language are barely accepted. Many times this involves leaving family
and friends behind to experience harsh loneliness. This fall I harvested potatoes
with extremely hard-working Mexican men who left home in March and would
only return in November. I believe they were legal but I ask you to consider the
others who are also living in fear of deportation. Surely with our low
unemployment rate we can afford to be a sanctuary to such folks.
- Political
As a country song says, "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for
everything." Based on all I believe as an American and a Christian I believe it is
time to stand up against the rampant overuse of fear and xenophobia that is being
perpetrated on our country. We are a great country of mainly immigrants who
have produced a vibrant and dynamic culture. Bozeman is a fine example of this
and we would be well-served to take a stand with hundreds of other cities for
openness to what has truly made us great.
Thank you for considering these comments and I deeply hope that we will move
forward to sanctuary status.
Bruce Smith
1116 Cherry Drive