Posted on 08/16/2006 5:12:56 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
The sponsor of a failed measure that targeted illegal immigrants is running for the city's school board and says he will campaign to abolish bilingual education in the city's schools.
Joseph Turner, 29, said he is running for the San Bernardino City Unified School District board to "aggressively target the policies that aid and abet illegal immigration."
His girlfriend, Alexis Ashley, is running for the San Bernardino County Board of Education and is seeking the same seat as Gil Navarro, a pro-immigrant activist who campaigned against Turner's ballot measure.
Turner and Ashley, both political novices, turned in their candidacy papers within 90 minutes of each other on Friday, the filing deadline for the Nov. 7 election. They have a child in the school district.
Turner, who founded the anti-illegal immigration group Save Our State, earlier this year sponsored what would have been one of the most far-reaching initiatives in the nation in its effort to limit the rights of illegal immigrants.
It would have barred undocumented residents from renting in the city and forced day laborers to prove they are legal residents. The initiative would also have banned day labor centers, denied permits, contracts and grants to employers who hire illegal immigrants and required that city business be conducted in English.
The City Council referred the measure to voters, but a citizen challenged the number of signatures Turner collected. A judge ruled on June 26 that the measure did not qualify.
Navarro, who has run unsuccessfully for elected political office at least 10 times, said he was wary of the couple's motives and added that Turner's position on bilingual education was unconstitutional.
"Turner would be violating the mission of the district and the rights of the children and the parents who are here illegally to have access to the services of the school district," Navarro said.
Turner said educating illegal immigrants is a drain on public resources.
"I believe American schools should be for American children," Turner said.
Ashley said she was "unapologetically" against illegal immigration but was motivated to run for the county board to eliminate waste and bureaucracy in the public schools.
Navarro and Ashley are trying to unseat incumbent John Preston Miller. Seven candidates besides Turner are running for four seats on the city school board.
"Turner would be violating the mission of the district and the rights of the children and the parents who are here illegally to have access to the services of the school district," Navarro said.
This can't be a winning platform, can it?
Where do we donate to their campaigns?
Not sure at this point, the SOS site doesn't make any mention of his new endeavor.
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