March 8-11, 2009: National Associationof Counties Legislative Conference

The conference agenda in Washington, DC, was certainly filled. We received briefings by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

Workshops included the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (Stimulus Package), Weathering the Financial Storm, Housing Stimulus, Climate Change, Future of Energy Issues, Impact of Mental Health Parity Legislation and What's Going On With The Immigration System.

The conference ended with a NC Congressional Breakfast at the Capital Hill Club where all but 2 NC members participated. Congressmen Etheridge and Price and Senator Hagan addressed the attendees.

Federal Immigration Reform was one of the more intense topics, both in and out of the workshop. The following is not based on facts, but here is what I think I got out of these discussions.
* President Obama will have a proposal on the table by the end of this year.
* ICE enforcement with some local assistance will continue.
* A responsible cost program (time period and process) for citizenship will be developed.
* ID verification system will become national.
* Employees who hire illegals will be prosecuted/fined.
* Illegals seeking employment will be prosecuted/deported.
* Our Agricultural Work Visa program will be refined to accommodate needed migrant farm workers.

I received several positive comments on the position we have taken on the 287g program from other NC commissioners.

If you would like more details, visit the NACo Legislative Conference Report at www.naco.org. There was so much information dispensed, it will probably take me a few days for it to sink in. I do feel like it was a very worthwhile event.

Considering I started my trip with what turned out to be an abscessed tooth and very swollen left side of my face, I guess I was lucky to complete the week!

January 17th 2009: response to criticisms of the ICE resolution

ON CHATHAM COUNTY BECOMING A SANCTUARY/SAFE HAVEN

Since just eight local governments in the state have entered into ICE agreements, we are with the vast majority of local communities not participating in ICE, which makes it unlikely that Chatham would be targeted as a ”sanctuary” when Orange County and Durham (who have also adopted resolutions) have not experienced this. And no single area is likely to be a “sanctuary” due to ICE. The availability of jobs has been the most critical factor for the location of immigrants, which is why there are still higher concentrations of illegal immigrants in metro areas.

Neither the City of Durham (resolution passed four years ago), nor Orange County (resolution passed two years ago), have seen any evidence of an influx of undocumented workers. Further, the resolution does not tie the hands of law enforcement officers. Law enforcement can still cooperate with the federal government. Most certainly, law enforcement officers will continue to seek out and arrest criminals of all types, as they have always done.

ON IMMIGRANTS AND FELONIES

The 287(g) provision was enacted to remove habitual immigrant offenders. However, aggravated felonious acts are less than 1% of the total.

While some have cited a November 2008 report by the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association (NCSA), which stated that, “Forty-four percent of the illegal immigrants identified during an eight-month period last year had been charged with crimes including murder, assault, and domestic violence.” This statement is misleading. In looking at what is covered in this 44%, the NCSA is including minor offenses like jaywalking, shoplifting, and trespassing, which are not in the same league as murder and assault. Another 23% involved driving while impaired offenses, and 33% involved violations of the motor vehicle law.

In 2007, Alamance County reported to ICE that approximately 80% of the state charges filed under its 287(g) program were for misdemeanors. According to the documents received from Gaston County in 2007, they reported that approximately 95% of their ICE-related charges filed were for misdemeanors.

In 2007, Alamance reported that approximately 45% of its ICE-related state charges under the 287(g) program were for traffic violations other than DWIs. DWIs appear to be reported separately from other traffic violations. In 2007, Gaston County reported that 60% of its charges were for traffic violations that were not DWIs.

This resolution does not mean that ICE cannot arrest people in Chatham County. It is saying that enforcement of immigration laws is the responsibility of the federal government. State law already requires local officers to check immigration status in the case of felonies and DWI. So, not having a 287(g) agreement does not provide any additional protections for undocumented immigrants who commit crimes. Chatham County’s Board of Commissioners, through the resolution, stated that we clearly support local officers’ enforcement of state laws.

ON THE COSTS OF 287(g) ICE PROGRAM

In November of 2007, Wake County estimated the county’s cost of a 287(g) program to be approximately $629,000. According to The Washington Post, in March 2008, Prince William County in Virginia started an ICE local enforcement program that was estimated to cost $6.4 million, double the original estimates of the county. Due to these cost estimates, the county altered its local enforcement plan; but according to news reports, the county spent nearly $800,000 (of its own money), just to cover start-up costs of its immigration crackdown. Without clear evidence that these programs will be successful in addressing the legitimate concerns related to current immigration policy, it does not seem like a wise investment for local taxpayer dollars

Christmas is coming!

The Fat Man and his Elves are gearing up, Rudolph and his crew are rested and it's almost time for their visit! Nothing will get you in the Christmas Holiday Spirit like a good 'ole small town Christmas Parade with all your family, friends and neighbors.

Siler City Christmas Parade, Thursday, Dec. 4 at 7 PM.
Goldston Christmas Parade, Saturday, Dec. 6 at 11 AM.
Pittsboro Christmas Parade, Sunday, Dec. 7 at 3 PM.
Bennett Christmas Parade, Saturday, Dec. 13 at 4 PM.

Hope to see you all there!

Water for extreme SE Water District Customers

When the BOC was deciding how best to use the USDA-RD loan
to install water for the SE Water District, we were limited to a
maximum loan amount and restricted by number of paid sign-ups.

This made it impossible for us to install lines East of Prince Chapel
Road on NC-42 to the Harnett County line and Truth Road at this time. The estimate for those two sections (approximately 4 miles) was over $600K and would have included boring under a railroad, boring under Buckhorn Creek and building a pump station to get the pressure required on the customer end of the line. We had to use that money to maximize our efficiency and reach the highest number of paid customers in the overall district.

We have 37 customers in this area, including B&B Poultry, which would use the water equivalent of 24 homes…and needs water badly. Our Staff Engineer has discussed with Harnett County staff the possibility of extending their water line to the Chatham County line and selling Chatham metered water for these customers. This would require only 2.2 miles of water line on the Chatham side with no borings and no pump station …estimated cost $225K.

There is some interest as Harnett is a Regional Water Supplier, but they are currently at or very near maximum capacity. Their plant should be up-graded by early 2010 and we will revisit this possible solution at that time.

We must remember that these customers would already have water if the 2005 Harnett Water Contract had not been cancelled by the 2006 BOC. That contract included up to 10MGD and our allocation was purchased by Holly Springs as soon we cancelled; i.e., no longer available to us.

I have not given up! We will continue our discussions with Harnett and hopefully will be able to supply water to the citizens of this area in 2010.