Meeting on refugees is tonight
Venue found for people with questions
By Bobbi Mlynar
Thursday, November 8, 2007
A group of people who have been commenting about the city's ability to provide services to more refugees will meet at 6 p.m. tonight in the Little Theater at William L. White Auditorium, 522 Mechanic St.
The meeting earlier had been posted as being at the Emporia Public Library, where no large meeting room is available if more than 10 people attend. One of the organizers, Vickie Vaughn, anticipates that the Little Theater venue will need to be utilized.
A number of bloggers on The Gazette's Web site have been discussing issues surrounding the possibility of Emporia becoming a direct resettlement location for refugees. Questions about education, social services, and other potential needs of the refugees will be discussed, among other issues.
The meeting is open to the public.
Gilbert_Craig (anonymous) says...
Is there some way the meeting can be recorded so those not able to attend can be made aware of all that is discussed?
November 8, 2007 at 4:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
spectator (anonymous) says...
Help the refugees ? OK, but what about this little tidbit?
Copy and paste this link into your address bar: :http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/08/homeless.veterans/index.html
November 8, 2007 at 4:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Renegade (anonymous) says...
Gilbert...We'll take notes for you. :-)
November 8, 2007 at 5:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
Yes, I would love to attend but do not live in KS anymore.
I hope those of us not in attendance get to read/hear about what happened at the meeting.
M
November 8, 2007 at 5:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporian (anonymous) says...
working tonight or I would have loved to went. Post up the meeting minutes if you can.
November 8, 2007 at 6:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
staffusa (anonymous) says...
The city fathers may want to contact the city government of Lewiston, Maine. Somolian refugees moved
from Atlanta, GA to Lewiston, Maine after they researched the services and generous welfare programs that Lewiston offered. A small number of refugees soon swelled to over 2000 after they told their relatives of their discovery of Lewiston's generosity. They bankrupted the city of Lewiston, a town approximately the size of Emporia.
Lessons may be learned from Lewiston that may equip the town of Emporia to better handle the huge influx of refugees.
Just a suggestion.
November 8, 2007 at 8:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eiggohp (anonymous) says...
Like Lewiston, Emporia is headed fro bankruptcy if they continue down the path they are headed. Our city fathers seem to take more interest in the Somalian refugees than they do to the rest of us....where is their heads????? What can we do?...this MUST be stopped!!!!
November 8, 2007 at 8:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Greetings everyone,
Attended by a group of about 35 people, the meeting lasted for about two hours during which time much active discussion took place. Travis Guthrie spoke first and introduced all of the concerns that the group would most likely want to discuss.
I am happy to report that Commissioner Bob Agler was present, and was able to not only voice his own concerns, but more importantly, to field a number of questions. He explained that he was there in the capacity as a citizen, not necessarily a commissioner. Of great interest to the group was when he explained to us that the commissioners themselves were also taken completely by surprise by Saturday's news article about the ERRA, the $104,000 grant, and Emporia's new status as Refugee Center. It would seem that they too were blindsided.
I'm not going to go into detail because the Gazette was there and the reporter will do a fine job of reporting what happened at the meeting. We will meet again. We will organize. We will have a name. We will have a web site. We will let everyone know in plenty of time so more can attend next time.
It was good to see Bob Agler there, especially after I know he had been reading the Forum and knew that some of us had attacked him. That took courage, especially not knowing how many people might be there.
We can assume that our city manager will be at our next meeting. He seems to have done quite a bit of research.
Again, read the Gazette article for particulars.
The group was surprisingly young in makeup. In talking to several of them after the meeting, I found out that they are interested because they are concerned about their futures. One young man said it would be so easy for a young person to just cut and run, find a job elsewhere, and forget Emporia forever. But he grew up here. When he said that, his eyes sparkled. Hearing that kid say that, and seeing his eyes sparkle was probably the most important thing I have heard and seen in months. It was poetry. I kid you not.
We will let everyone know when the next meeting is in plenty of time so more can attend. God Bless Emporia.
Now, everybody, have a good Veteran's Day. My own Veteran is resting at Memorial Lawn so I'm taking an apple out to him tomorrow. Semper Fidelis.
November 8, 2007 at 9:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jasper007 (anonymous) says...
How many Somalians were present????????????????
November 8, 2007 at 10:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Renegade (anonymous) says...
We didn't ask Jasper007.... :-)
November 8, 2007 at 10:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
Thanks for reporting back.Unable to make it.Wasn't much good by 5 or so,had to stay home and rest up.Better now.Time to research what this is going to cost the community.
November 8, 2007 at 11:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Renegade (anonymous) says...
bluitespecial...We missed you...but there will be more meetings, and I hope you'll try to make the next one. We'll let you know when it will be.
I hope that more of the people posting here, that live in Emporia, will be able to come to future meetings. I know we can make a difference in Emporia.
We have gone after the Commissioners, and the City Manager, but, I think we need to maybe stop fighting them...and work together....I'm working on a better attitude for myself too.
November 8, 2007 at 11:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
Oh,yeah... Turning down Federal funds isn't out of the question.Just say NO..take your money....relocate somewhere else...we can't do this! Emporia has turned down hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars because they didn't want a Federal agency looking into the department(s) involved.Ignore the paperwork,deadline passes,throw paperwork away.Dept. head retains control of everything.... less money,but no nosey Feds pokin' their nose into anything.No proof,either.Remember this whenever the phrase'privatization' comes up.You can make this a slower, easier process for everyone.Or it can be made such a legal nightmare to relocate people here for whatever reason-that it just ain't worth it.
November 8, 2007 at 11:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
I await this story published. It seems to many that the city is dishing out the red carpet to these people and to hell with the rest of us.
It is a topic of conversation weekly and its going no where.
November 8, 2007 at 11:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Observer (anonymous) says...
Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!
Being fore-warned is being fore-armed, and you as some of Emporia's finest citizens are sounding the alarm and getting out the message.
A deep note of gratitude to those heroic hearts who have stepped-up, organized the meeting, and have gone beyond anonymous statements.
Equality under the law, allows Tyson to hire whomever they desire, and Somalis are equal under the law to move to Emporia.
Equality is both of the same measure, quantity, amount, or number as another as well as not showing variation in appearance, structure, or proportion.
Tyson, the Somali refugees, the Catholic Charities and Somali advocates, should be treated with equality under the law, BUT not more than equality under the law.
Hold each of the above accountable to the Emporia community, for their actions/decisions.
Are the laws of Kansas and city statutes being enforced in regards to Tyson, or does it receive tax-breaks, incentives, and special treatment as a powerful corporation?
Are the Somalis being treated fairly and equitably under the laws of Kansas and City statutes, or are they being catered-to and given preferential treatment because of who they are and who they work for, and who their advocate is?
Give everyone equality under the law, with consistent enforcement of all laws. No special treatment.
If a native born citizen must pass a standardized drivers license exam, then any non-native born citizen should pass the same exam to operate a motor vehicle on our streets.
If a crime is committed by a native born American citizen, which could result in arrest and conviction, then the same crime by a non-native born person should result in arrest and conviction.
Do the merchants and service providers of the community have the right to refuse service, to undesirable and troublesome customers?
Truth. Justice. Equality under the law.
Hold them accountable for the good of the community.
Well done, well commenced ye faithful and caring hearts.
November 9, 2007 at 7:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
You're right, Tre, people's anonymous opinions often carry more weight because it is a bit easier to be frank and candid when nobody knows where you live. But when it comes to what we are trying to accomplish, I don't think anyone fears reprisal, at least not the ones who were there last night. There is strength in numbers, and I honestly believe that we will see more people next time. I was pleased with what I saw last night, especially the young ones. This is their future and I am willing to defend it.
Yeah, I guess being anonymous is "kinda like being drunk." Back when I loved beer more than I loved being discreet, I used to let my mouth override my brain too. But always, there were little kernels of truth imbedded in the speechifying, especially after I said, "you talking to me?"
Thank you for the compliment about not needing the bag. LOL
I have been doing some reading about our concerns this morning. One of the things we need to do is approach Sam Brownback. Read this:
http://www.vdare.com/allen/brownback.htm
Let me know what you think, everyone. I'm sure that our Sam has time now that he is no longer running for president.
November 9, 2007 at 8:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
create- Just read the vdare link about Brownback.Didn't go well with my first sip of coffee.I met him at the gate at Goodyear when he was campaigning years ago.Didn't like his politics back then.Told him I thought he was bringin' back too much Washington c**p to Kansas.(whatever that's worth! It made sense at the time) 'Course at the time we were all listening to Chuck Harder on 580 radio,cussing "Billary",and voting for Perot! I need to get more coffee,and read this article a bit more.Just my 3 cents.
November 9, 2007 at 12:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wtrdog (anonymous) says...
I sincerely wished I could have made the meeting last night. I must admit I am a bit reserved because I do work for the City, However I am not in a notable position. What I can tell you is that I am concerned about what is happening. I very much intend on attending the next meeting.
I'm wondering,
What kind of federally funded incentives is Tyson getting for hiring the refugees?
If in fact there are incentives, Wouldn't those incentives be paid from taxpayer dollars just as the public heathcare system?
I'm hoping I am wrong, But if that is true then aren't we the taxpayers footing the bill for Tysons cheap labor?
November 9, 2007 at 7:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Renegade (anonymous) says...
wtrdog...please come to the next meeting with our group. I will be sending out more information on when and where the next meeting is going to be held.
Would you e-mail me, so I could put you on the contact list?
im.renegade.@yahoo.com...Thanks wtrdog.
November 9, 2007 at 8:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Casey (anonymous) says...
I would love a notice per email of your next meeting ..I will be there .I am truly concerned about many things concerning a refugee camp like thing ..Please email me ktamie@sbcglobal.net ......I will email you ,also im renegade
November 12, 2007 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
wtrdog, you have a very good question about what kind of federally funded incentives might Tyson be getting. We keep hearing that Tyson is subsidized. I'll be interested in an answer to that too and plan to ask at the ERRA meeting on December 7th, FH Tech school, 8:30 a.m. I'm told that a Tyson rep will be there.
November 12, 2007 at 4:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Not trying to be a naysayer, but I think I already have a pretty good idea of what Tyson's answer to every question will be. And I don't think I have much faith in those answers. I won't give details, but I've already seen up pretty close how they've handled some things in the not too distant past, and I can tell you I don't trust any Tyson rep as far as I can throw an elephant.
Just giving my totally honest point of view.
200 openings - but we're not hiring. Yep.
November 12, 2007 at 5:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Renegade (anonymous) says...
REALLY IMPORTANT EVERYONE!!!!!!!
RE: THE MEETING AT THE LIBRARY ON THE 14TH, AT 7PM. This is not OUR meeting!
THIS IS THE 3RD AND FINAL IMMIGRATION FORUM ...IT IS AT 7pm...sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Emporia, and the Emporia Public Library.
ESU Preofessor Rob Catlett will be the evening's speaker.
The Immigration Forum is open to the Public, and you are invited to come with questions...However, this is NOT a FORUM on the Refugees.
IMPORTANT: THIS FORUM IS NOT A FORUM ON THE REFUGEES. SO, THIS IS NOT ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING ON THIS FORUM FOR THE PAST WEEK.
WE will be having a second meeting very soon, and you will be notified when that is in a few days.
This is a good time to remind you to email me with your email address, for the contact list...so we can keep you updated on meetings and important information in the future.
Thanks everyone....
im.renegade@yahoo.com
November 12, 2007 at 5:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Tyson plans to expand its foreign business...
http://money.iwon.com/jsp/nw/nwdt_rt_...
(Looks to me like they don't have any need to go overseas - just bring all the labor here!!! :)
November 12, 2007 at 5:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I looks like we have been offline since just before six. We've been smokin' up the wires. Speaking of hot, check this one out. The east coast is watching us. Methusla, who posted on another thread on our forum, is quoted here.
http://refugeeresettlementwatch.wordp...
Keep up the good commentaries, everyone. We are being watched. Thanks open_eyes -- good link.
November 13, 2007 at 1:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalelinn (Dale Linn) says...
I'm quite sure Tyson does plan to expand overseas. Almost all of our manufacturing has been moved out. Our government spends money like water (on Refugees, too). The United States is becoming too bankrupt for the corporations after they have economically raped our country. They have pretty much done all of the major damage they can do. There's still these smaller things, like these subsidized refugees. I got a kick out of the person that said the refugees have as much right to work at Tyson as anyone else. I suppose he's ignorant of the subsidies.
November 13, 2007 at 8:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )