Manchester Union Leader reports on sanctuary cities

Indeed! This article is a report I never believed was possible! In fact, the conservative founder of The Union Leader must be doing the proverbial "turning over".
William "Bill" Loeb III (1905 – 1981), was publisher of the Manchester Union Leader newspaper (later The New Hampshire Union Leader). His unyieldingly conservative political views helped to make "The Union Leader" one of the best-known small papers in the country. 

Durham, Portsmouth consider becoming sanctuary cities

(Yikes! This report is a harbinger of the times in New Hampshire.  Typically, Loeb would've written a fire and brimstone response to a report like this, on the newspaper's editorial page. Perhaps there was one, but I didn't find it. Sounds like the state's legislature will try to block this sanctuary move, but how many of the legislators are descendants of the state's large Franco-American immigrants? Lots!)
By Kevin Landrigan- New Hampshire Union Leader

DURHAM- NH: Starting Monday, Durham and Portsmouth (NH) begin to formally explore a sanctuary-city designation that would put them in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump.


In a Jan. 27 executive order, Trump pledged to strip sanctuary cities of all federal grants if they persist in pursuing conscientious objector status in the fight against illegal immigration.

A sanctuary city is a municipality that adopts a policy of protecting illegal immigrants by not prosecuting them or reporting them for violating federal immigration laws. This can be set out in law or observed in practice by not using local money to enforce federal immigration law.

There are more than 300 sanctuary communities in the U.S. though 12 of them, including Providence, R.I., account for nearly 20 percent of all undocumented aliens, according to the Center for Migration Studies.

New Hampshire is alone in New England for not having a sanctuary city. In the past 10 days, local officials in both communities report a raft of calls, emails and letters from residents and outsiders urging them to take this course of action.

“It’s the most holy place of honor for a community to have in the fight for social justice,” said Eva Castillo, executive director of the New Hampshire Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees.

At first glance, these would seem to be perfect beachheads in the Granite State to wage such a campaign.

Only 27 percent of Durham voters went for Trump in last November’s election; Trump’s backing in Portsmouth was 29 percent.

While willing to take a look, progressive officials in both communities admit they are reluctant to join the front lines of this fight, and they insist Durham and Portsmouth already are model welcoming places for all immigrants.

“In my view, Durham operates in nearly all respects in a manner in which supporters would want a Sanctuary City to operate. Yet, by formally declaring ourselves to be one, in many ways we make ourselves into a target and politicize our ongoing and deeply held commitment to inclusivity. That seems counterproductive to me,” said Durham Town Administrator Todd Selig.

Portsmouth would put $5.5 million in federal grants at risk. James Splaine is a former, 30-year state lawmaker who is currently deputy mayor of the Seacoast city.

“How much would we lose? Are we putting that in danger? My job is to protect the interest of the city and its taxpayers,” Splaine began.

“I also see the problem that if we start to identify who is illegal and who is not, this country could become very paranoid. Neighbors would be talking about neighbors; there would be discussions on the sidewalk and the talk could get very crazy.”

Selig said his town’s police force does not profile residents and has a human rights commission.

“While it might make people feel good to have their local community declared a sanctuary city in the face of what they see as undesired federal action, the communities have to think long and hard about the implications of their actions for all their citizens, both social and financial,” Selig said.

Conservative activist Gary Hoffman of Bedford said the Legislature should follow the lead of Texas and pursue a state law against these communities. (Dear Hon. Hoffman- how many of your Bedford constituents are Franco-Americans?)

“We need a state law to prevent any place in New Hampshire from becoming a so-called sanctuary city or town,” Hoffman said.

A 2002 Republican candidate for Congress, Hoffman said the illegal immigrants come from countries that spawn terrorists, and Trump should have expanded his ban to include Saudia Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

At a rally against Trump’s immigration travel ban in Concord, residents were thankful the concept was getting attention.

Imam Mustafa Akaya of the Islamic Society of Greater Concord said vocal opposition is the only way to combat Trump’s policies.

“We have a lot of people supporting us,” he said. “Talk with your heart, your head and your mouth. You can send them a message.”

Intisar Alqatrani of Concord emigrated with her husband from Iraq 20 months ago after he worked for the U.S. Army in Iraq.

“My husband’s family is in Iraq and they would love to come here but now with this, who knows when they can ever come,” she sighed.

Randall Drew, a Bedford lawyer who specializes in immigration law, said any community taking this step now risks becoming the first casualty in a federal money fight with the White House.

“I think a stealth campaign is perhaps better,” Drew said. “Any formal recognition just makes them a target, that would be my concern.”

Immigration group leader Castillo said she’s going to a Sacramento, Calif., meeting this week with national peers to pursue a different course.

“It is up to Durham and Portsmouth to decide and I wish them well,” Castillo began


“We are advocating for the churches to declare sanctuary status all over the country; we think that is the better way to go. This would make it very difficult for the administration to retaliate against them.”

The Durham Town Council’s meeting Monday at Town Hall. The Portsmouth City Council will meet Monday in the Eileen Dondero Foley Chambers in Portsmouth City Hall. Both sessions start at 7 p.m.

klandrigan@unionleader.com

Governor LePage owes Maine voters an apology - refuses to swear in elected Susan Deschambault

Susan Deschambault was elected for the state senate by her constituents during a special election, but when her family and supporters showed up for her swearing in ceremony in the State House, the Maine Governor LePage decided not to show up.....leaving everyone mystified!  

Elected State Senator Susan Deschambault at Maine State House with State Senator Justin Alfond

Apparently, the Governor took out his anger with the Maine legislature on the ceremony because one of his appointments had been rejected. He was taking out his revenge on the voters, who had selected a Democrat to fill a vacant state senate seat- but his rebuke is also an embarrasment to Franco-American voters in Biddeford and Kennebunk, Maine.

AUGUSTA –– Gov. Paul LePage abruptly canceled a swearing-in ceremony Friday morning for a newly elected senator representing the Biddeford area in response to Democratic lawmakers’ votes against one of his nominees.

Sen.-elect Susan Deschambault, a Democrat who won a special election Tuesday in Senate District 32, showed up with her family at LePage’s office for her scheduled swearing in at 8:50 a.m. only to be told the event had been canceled.

LePage spokeswoman Adrienne Bennett said the governor canceled the ceremony in response to Democrats voting against Steven Webster’s nomination to the Maine Unemployment Insurance Commission. The Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee vote Thursday was 7-6 against Webster along party lines.

“Democrats treated Steve Webster despicably and it’s unfortunate that good people get caught up in political games,” Bennett said in a statement. “Governor LePage has not sworn Ms. Deschambault in yet. The governor has five days to do so.”

Later Friday morning, LePage notified Senate President Mike Thibodeau, R-Winterport, that he was withdrawing Webster’s nomination, as well as that of two others: Emery Deabay of Bucksport for a seat on the Workers Compensation Board, and Wesley Richardson of Warren for a seat on the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission. The governor offered no reason for the withdrawals.

Democrats reacted angrily to LePage’s decision, accusing the governor of petty politics and punishing members of a Senate District over an entirely unrelated issue.

“Today’s decision is shameful,” Senate Minority Leader Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, said in a news conference. “It’s disrespectful to Susan, her family and to 38,101 voters of Senate District 32. … The governor is denying the people of Senate District 32 of having a voice.”

Deschambault said she initially wondered whether she was the victim of an April Fool’s joke when told the ceremony would not happen.

“The governor owes it to the state and owes it to a group of people in southern Maine who are waiting to have someone represent them and vote for them and their interests,” Deschambault told reporters. “That’s been since the end of January. It took a long time to get elected. I am here today and I am waiting and waiting, and so are the people back home.”

Deschambault was elected to fill the seat of former Sen. David Dutremble, D-Biddeford, who resigned for personal reasons. The Democrat beat her Republican opponent, Stephen Martin of Biddeford, by a margin of roughly 17 percentage points.

Friday’s events are the latest example of the antagonistic relationship between LePage and legislators, particularly Democrats. And it is only the most recent in a series of dust-ups between the governor and Democrats over his nominees.

Democrats on the Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee first stalled and then voted against Webster’s nomination to the commission charged with resolving unemployment claim appeals between employees and employers.

A detective sergeant at the South Portland Police Department, Webster served 21 years as president of the Maine Association of Police, the union representing about 1,000 municipal police officers at 50 law enforcement departments across the state. But Democrats questioned whether Webster’s experience with the union made him a strong enough advocate for workers. They also raised concerns about his numerous appearances on a conservative radio talk show hosted by fellow Westbrook resident Ray Richardson.

Democrats also reacted to critical statements that Webster reportedly posted on social media after his feisty confirmation hearing.

“Based on how this nominee has handled himself with people of this committee simply because they may have a different opinion than him, he does not appear to have the temperament or discretion to handle this position,” committee member Rep. Paul Gilbert, D-Jay, said in a statement. “If that is how he is going to act towards the people he is asking to recommend him for a job, I have some real concerns about his ability to be respectful of the people who would appear before him at a hearing.”

Republicans on the committee, in turn, accused their counterparts of playing politics with the nomination. Committee votes are only recommendations to the Maine Senate, which has the final say over nominees. LePage’s withdrawal of Webster’s nomination makes that a moot point, however.

“Today’s vote was unfortunate given how difficult it is to find candidates of Steven Webster’s caliber,” Sen. Andre Cushing, R-Hampden, said in a statement after the vote. “It was especially sad because it appears he was rejected for partisan reasons.”

In February, LePage withdrew his nominee for commissioner of education, Bill Beardsley, because he believed Democrats on another committee planned to vote against him. Beardsley remains in the position of acting commissioner, and LePage said later that month that he, LePage, planned to assume any official duties that can only be performed by a commissioner.

Last year, LePage also denounced Democrats for stalling a vote for a nominee to the Public Utilities Commission, Bruce Williamson. The nominee was later confirmed by the Maine Senate on a bipartisan 25-10 vote.

Immediately following Friday morning’s events, Attorney General Janet Mills and Secretary of State Matt Dunlap – both Democrats – huddled in the Senate Democratic leadership’s offices to explore their options.

“We are looking for solutions,” Mills said before going into the meeting.

But it appears that Democrats have few options.

Maine’s governor has five business days to swear in a newly elected legislator. The Maine Constitution allows the chief justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court to administer the oath of office to a lawmaker but only “whenever the Governor shall not be able to attend during the session of the Legislature to take and subscribe said oaths or affirmations.”

Alfond and LePage have enjoyed a more productive relationship this legislative session despite some high-profile and, at times, personal clashes in the past. Friday’s events cast a pall over that as Alfond accused the governor of “pulling a stunt.”

“What does a vote in the Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee have to do with swearing in a senator?” he asked. “Nothing. There’s no connection. This is just political retribution. I don’t know what the governor is doing.”

LePage’s office declined further comment on the issue Friday.

In fact, Governor Paul LePage owes Maine voters an apology for his irresponsible political behavior. Moreover, the governor just marked up aonother reason why Franco-Americans are increasingly upset with his leadership. 

Manchester New Hampshire support for French je suis Charlie

http://contributors.pressherald.com/news/the-franco-american-blog/support-french-je-suis-charlie-franco-american-centre-fac-manchester-nh/

Thank you to the Franco-Americans of Manchester New Hampshire for showing support at this tragic time in French history.