Where can I get that photo in the form of a flag or windsock? Or even a bumper sticker, and I don't usually like bumper stickers!  We need to force immigrants to learn our language, not to force our citizens to learn theirs. Refusing to hire someone because they do not speak spanish, or wording job offers to say "bilingual spanish a must" should be illegal in this country. It is reverse discrimination, against our own citizens.

Come on now.  MEXIFORNIA?  While I understand your argument for having voting sheets and such tests as drivers license exams in a foreign language as "not right", my original post was addressing Mr. Richards' photo.  If you don't want to take .7 seconds to take the phone away from your ear to press 1, or if you are too impatient to be courteous to someone who speaks with an accent, then stay in your bubble.  As far as the MEXIFORNIA comment, trust me, the reason there are so many Mexican national workers here, and doing a pretty great job, is because there are not enough Americans willing to do the work they do, because of pride, laziness, or both.

Many thanks for your kind words. It's always nice to get a pat on the..ah..back. I only wish MORE people would attend these meetings and stand up and speak about whatever is on their minds. We CAN accomplish anything we wish to if it's a just and worthy cause and will inure to the benefit of all citizens.

Also, I wish the City would spend a couple of bucks to get some new microphones. I think the ones they are using now must have been originally owned by Marconi. (or maybe Edison) They do allow the speaker to be more audible but the quality is so bad that it just makes the voices sound louder...but more garbled.

A 6pm meeting on a week day might not be the best time for a lot of people to attend. Many are just coming home from a distant work place and others might be busy preparing dinner for the family. Perhaps a Saturday morning would lure more people? Maybe this should be explored?

Jim Richards

Good job tonight Jim! You spoke very well, you got your point across and you told the Council you wont stand for this. You should run to replace Grimes or Hand.  Why this was so hard for you to get done is scary. The Brown Act says you don't have to. You said why we should not have to. 5 months later and its finally done.

Note: Jim got is rule change. We only have to give our names and if we live in the city or not. We no longer have to tell our full address. That way we can make the guy next to us upset with our commits, without wondering if he will come to our homes after the meeting.

Some of the meetings agenda was in the paper. The items they have listed as items of intrest include:

* Approve and authorize the mayor to sign the agreement with Wonderies Fleet Group for $22,482.00 per vehicle for four Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors, black with white roof and four white doors.

* Discuss and authorize staff to commence a design/engineering study on the revised project scope to renovate Beekay Theatre. Staff now recommend revising the original project scope.

* The city received one bid for the re-roofing of our Historic Train Depot from BSW Roofing Contractors in the amount of 41,250.00- accept the bid and award contract to BSW Roofing.

* Pubic hearing regarding proposed Ordinance No.07-01-686, relating to members of the public addressing the city council.

* Introduction of a city ordinance to the requirement for tobacco retailer's permits and food establishment grading.

This didn't take me very long.  Carin, is there anyway the paper could post this if they already have it printed? I don't get the paper every week otherwise I'd just do it myself. :)