County commissioners to consider refugee resolution

More than 100 concerned citizens descended on Monday’s meeting of the Boundary County Commissioners, as a resolution was proposed that would oppose Islamic refugee resettlement migration into the state of Idaho.

Because of the number of attendees, the meeting was moved to the U of I Extension Office, located behind the courthouse. Once everyone was situated, Linda Fioravanti read the proposal to the commissioners.

“The citizens of Boundary County herby request the Boundary County Commissioners and the Boundary County Sheriff adopt resolutions declaring their opposition to the Islamic refugee resettlement migration into the state of Idaho and into Boundary County, based on the risk of Islamic terrorist activity to our communities,” the proposal read. “Further, that these resolutions be transmitted to the governor and our legislators.”

After addressing the agenda issue Fioravanti explained the reason for the proposed resolution to the commissioners.

“The citizens of Boundary County are very concerned about the refugee issue, and how it could impact our county and our state,” she said. “If you noticed, I used the words Islamic refugees. That’s because it’s not only Syrians that are participating in terrorist activity, but Muslims.”

Fioravanti also circulated a letter from Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler to Gov. Butch Otter requesting the governor prevent an Idaho migration.

“I am charged with the responsibility to keep this community safe,” the letter read in part. “When I see a potential threat to this community, I am obligated to do everything in my power to expose that threat. The resettlement of Syrian refugees is a plausible threat and must be prevented.”

Fioravanti went on to say that with the size of Boundary County, any refugee migration would create an impact.

“We are a very tiny county of only 10,000 people,” she said. “We would lose our way of life here. It’s not an issue of being prejudiced, it’s an issue of safety for our community.”

After a number of those in attendance also voiced their concerns, the commissioners took the opportunity to respond. Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton said he appreciated the concerns, but the issue needed to be further investigated before jumping to conclusions.

“From my point of view, it’s not so much a religion or a group of people that are wanting to come into our county,” Pinkerton said. “What’s more concerning to me is how can we address anyone coming to our county. Do we have the medical facilities to facilitate a group of people coming in. Do we have the ability for them to get to schools like they would need to do. Do we have employment for them, because they ned to try to make a living. Do we have a way to make sure they’re safe as well as we’re safe. What I think we need to do as a community is relay our abilities, one way or another, to the governor, and then support the governor in his decision. We need to let him know we are really not in a position to facilitate any large groups coming into our county. We just don’t have the infrastructure in place, We don’t have available housing for people wanting to come here and open up a business, let alone a large group. That is what our role here is, to address what we can do as a county. How can we support anybody of any religion coming into our county, any groups of people coming into our county? The religion issue to me is mute. It’s the fact we are a struggling county as it is.”

Though most in attendance seemed to be in favor of the proposed resolution, the issue was not without its detractors. Several residents spoke against the resolution, citing that not all Syrians are Muslims; many in fact are Christians.

“These people were living in their homes, living their lives like we do,” attendee Barbara Russell told the the commissioners. “Somebody comes and bombs their house, rips their family apart...they sought refuge, many of them didn’t make it. Many of them were turned away. These people have been gassed. They’ve been bombed. They have nowhere to go. They are refugees, and are seeking refugee staus. They’re not seeking to come here for a better life. I don’t believe they want to leave their homes. But they have nowhere to go back to. Our country stands for taking in refugees, people in need. Our community stands for helping people in need. I stand against this resolution.”

The meeting also brought out candidates running for office in next year’s election, including Sheriff candidate Dave Schuman and Senate candidate Glenn Rohrer. Rohrer said the combination of an Islamic terrorist threat and a poor vetting system for refugees should be the issue.

“It is incumbent on all of our public officials to make sure we have no immigration from Syria until we have that vetting system in place,” Roher said. “And not get sidetracked on whether we can care for them.”

Because the resoulution is in the proposal stage, no action was taken during Monday’s meeting. 

The issue has been tabled until next Monday’s meeting, where the public is once again invited to attend as the commissioners discuss the proposal at length.