Bonner County is First for Resolution Against Refugees
Sandpoint – Bonner County became the first county in Idaho to pass a resolution opposing the refugee resettlement program on Tuesday, December 1, 2015.
With over 110 people present at the meeting, and most speaking vehemently against the refugees coming to their county and state, the 3 Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution urging the halt to the refugee resettlement program, pushed by the Obama administration.
This week has seen similar resolutions popping up in commissioner meetings all over North Idaho. Boundary County discussed drafting one on Monday, with finalization expected next Monday. Kootenai County is finalizing their resolution on Wednesday, December 2nd, also opposing the refugee resettlement program.
Citizens are speaking up all over the state, and bringing their concerns to their local government. They expect their elected officials to listen, heed their words, and send it up the ladder to the Governor.
Nearly everyone has voiced opposition to the expected influx of people, though there were a few exceptions. At today’s Bonner County meeting, there was a notable comment that most took to believe they were being compared to Nazi Germany, if they opposed the refugees.
However, it was an overwhelming majority that spoke out against the resettlement program, at every meeting so far, citing costs, services, and the fear of Sharia Law, as well as many other reasons. Several, today, had personal and family experiences to share. Chairman Cary Kelly, to his credit, gave every person their chance to speak, not censoring content, opinion. or time.
Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler read into the record the letter he wrote on Nov 17, 2015 to Gov. Butch Otter. This was received with a standing ovation by the crowd.
The 3 commissioners in Bonner County are Todd Sudick, Glen Bailey and Cary Kelly. Collectively, they share decades of time in military service and much of that time in the Middle East. It is not surprising that they passed the resolution opposing the refugees. What is surprising, according to many people attending, is that the resolution came off as “soft” as it did. They were hoping for something more strongly worded. This, however, did not diminish their enthusiasm at the issue being addressed.
One can only hope that this momentum builds down the state, and every county continues to speak up for the citizens.
We first published this article here.
