Refugee resolution draws crowd, concern

SANDPOINT — A proposed Sandpoint resolution calling for human rights and tolerance proved contentious, packing Wednesday’s City Council meeting, forcing many into the hallways or outside to wait for a spot to open up.

Standing room only is a rare occurrence for the city’s council meetings, but dozens were turned away after the council chambers quickly filled. Inside, more than 150 people voiced both concerns and support for the resolution. After a lengthy debate and comment period, the council voted to table any decision until Jan. 20. The council also asked that some of the wording be removed or changed in the resolution.

Mayor Shelby Rognstad said while there are no refugees moving to Sandpoint or plans to bring any to the county, he felt the resolution was needed to show tolerance.

“The point of this resolution, from my perspective, was to demonstrate tolerance,” Rognstad said, to an erupting crowd of people saying that Sandpoint is already tolerant.  

The resolution states that events in San Bernardino and Paris have saddened the community and have caused the fear level to rise in the community. It said responses have been “couched in racist and discriminatory terms.”

“Terror is caused by people of varied ethnic, religious and political backgrounds; whereas thoughts of Nazi Germany, Japanese internment camps, McCarthyism, and Ku Klux Klan come to mind,” the resolution reads. “Although well-intentioned, discussions of banning groups of people due to their religion is counter to the Constitution and the historical places of this county.”

It declares Sandpoint as a city open to anyone who is “properly screened” and is a tolerant, diverse and non-discriminatory city.

About 40 people spoke on the topic, the majority of them against passing the proposed resolution. Many were from the city, but some hailed from the county and neighboring cities.

Spencer Hutchins told the council that Saudi Arabia has space for 3 million refugees and they have taken zero of this group.

“We’re just going to put more county people out of work,” he said.

One gentleman is retired Navy and felt offended that the council would bring this resolution.

“We are infidels to them, they do not like us,” he said. “I suggest you put them up in your own homes.”

Matthew Reese, retired Army, said the city does not want this resolution.

“They are not of our culture,” Reese said. “Their ideology in not our ideology.”

The cost of taking the refugees, their culture differences, crime, education and government assistance were all referenced by those who spoke. One person told the council that American citizens cannot qualify for government assistance so why should non-citizens.

Not all of the comments were against the resolution. A few people stood up showing support.

Molly O’Reilly said she took the Pledge of Allegiance with everyone before the meeting, and it states “justice for all,” emphasizing that

The council tabled the resolution, stating they wanted time to weigh the comments before making a decision. Councilman Thomas  Eddy moved to table the resolution and Councilwoman Deb Ruehle gave the second.

Ruehle stated that she was uncomfortable making a decision after seeing how divided the city residents were on the issue. Both Ruehle and Eddy stated that this was a very hard decision to make. Ruehle even asked her 9-year-old for advice because children are so innocent. She said the council is full of volunteers who care about the city.

“We come here because we care and we are just trying to do the best for our children,” Ruehle said.