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<br />B. League of Women Voters (League) to conduct a public forum on immigration <br /> <br />Mayor Pierce stated that immigration is a hot topic both in the community and of <br />local concern. Although the City is not in a position to address the issues with <br />immigration or set the policy, the priority is overall community safety and working to <br />provide construction problem solving in order to not divide the community. The <br />League of Women Voters as a nonpartisan organization was founded in 1920 to <br />improve our systems of government and impact public policies through citizen <br />education and advocacy. She further read the mission statement of the League of <br />Women Voters and stated that there is a request of the City to assist in locating a <br />venue and assist in publicizing the event. <br /> <br />Barbara Boles, President of the League, stated that at this time the League has <br />absolutely no position and the National level of the League will gather input from all <br />branches prior to announcing a position on the topic. She continued to explain the <br />proposed process for the meetings. <br /> <br />Council Members thanked Mayor Pierce and Council Member Aguirre for their <br />efforts in providing the opportunity for the community to have a dialogue, expressed <br />support for providing venues for sharing community values and openness for all <br />viewpoints. <br /> <br />Diane Reddy, 57-year resident and co-chair of Peninsula Interfaith Action (PIA), <br />thanked Mayor Pierce and Council Member Aguirre for attending PIA's meeting on <br />the previous Saturday. She stated that PIA has many families in Redwood City who <br />are very concerned about their safety, and particularly, the safety of their children. <br />They are immigrants, both documented and undocumented. She expressed <br />happiness over the League coming into the community because it is important for <br />the community to engage in dialogue and it is a very emotional issue. <br /> <br />Reverend Anna Lange-Soto, Pastor of the Episcopal Church EI Buen Pastor, an <br />Episcopal Church conducted primarily in Spanish. She thanked Mayor Pierce and <br />Council Member Aguirre for attending the Saturday meeting and expressed <br />appreciation for their listening and the mutual goal expressed at the Council <br />meeting of mutual safety. She shared her appreciation for the forums and stated <br />she would help in any way possible. <br /> <br />Aaron Lucien stated that the forum could provide some good things but that he has <br />a couple of exceptions dealing with both illegal and legal immigrants. He stated that <br />he would not like his tax dollars working toward illegal immigrants but for those who <br />came legally and have not broken our laws. He referred to the "Gilligan robber" <br />stating that the detective in charge is not going to ask whether the accused is here <br />legally or not. <br /> <br />REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />MINUTES <br /> <br />JULY 23, 2007 <br />PAGE 6 <br />