Posted on 10/11/2006 10:52:08 PM PDT by Ladycalif
Allan Mansoor has had quite a year, however you judge it.
Mansoor, the mayor of Costa Mesa, made national headlines by proposing that the city train its police officers to check for criminals’ immigration status.
Besides headlines, he also set off a political firestorm and a strident debate that played out at City Council meetings (with one man being arrested), in letters to the editors and in demonstrations in the city.
Quite a scene for someone who considers himself a man of few words.
It’s tough to imagine what a few words can do.
“It’s something that I believe the public wants to see done, and it’s something that needs to be done,” Mansoor said back in December when he proposed his plan. “Illegal immigration is something that needs to be addressed at all levels.”
Today, it is still unclear that the plan, which was augmented when it reached the City Council, is what the public wants. Mansoor, who is running for reelection on a platform of public safety, and the community will find out come Nov. 7.
The debate has been so heated that in an almost unprecedented step in Costa Mesa, people opposed to the immigration enforcement plan formed a political action committee to try to vote Mansoor out of office.
That vote is expected to be close, and it almost entirely appears to be coming down to the single issue of illegal immigration.
All the argument aside, the Orange County Sheriff’s deputy, who grew up in Costa Mesa and graduated from Estancia High School, has been a good student since he joined the council, said City Manager Allan Roeder.
“I can tell you that the mayor has always been thoughtful, very courteous and very appreciative in his dealings with city staff,” Roeder said. “Allan came on board with no experience on the council. He’s a very hard worker, and has worked very hard to educate himself, but that takes time.
“From a staff perspective, while there are widely held differences, points of view as to the mayor’s politics, it’s been generally a very good productive relationship.”
Despite all that has gone on, Mansoor says does not see himself as an influential person in the city.
“I don’t look at myself that way,” Mansoor said. “I’m simply trying to do what I said I would do when I first ran for office, and that is to improve the quality of life of the citizens of Costa Mesa.”
mansoor ping!
ping
Local jurisdictions need to do what is lawful about illegal aliens. They are first off illegal, and therefore breaking the law. The lack of enforcement by federal authorities is disgusting. Hope more local police will do what is right for their populace.
the part of illegal they don't understand is most of them probably are illegal. that would be logical, they are not logical.
I'm curious. Who are these people, and where do they get their money? Follow the money! Who are the people/groups who have a financial interest in more illegal aliens living in Costa Mesa?
Mansoor ~ BUMP!
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