To the Homer City Council:

Last Friday morning I found myself responding, along with man of my fellow Homeroids, to a post on Facebook soliciting support for a resolution introduced to name Homer a “Sanctuary City.” Keep in mind: I am a 20-year Homer resident, home owner, wife, mother of three and entrepreneur. I have kept my politics to myself for over 10 years, in quiet deference for the fact that Homer is a very diverse city with people of all walks of life and varying political persuasions. I sat quietly by as 900+ people marched for “free speech, tolerance, and freedom of expression” not even a month ago. They had every right to march as I had every right to vote on Nov. 9. After hours spent on Friday engaging in open dialogue and civil discourse, the original poster who solicited support, took it upon himself to silence those voices by deleting the post — A post that tagged city council members like yourself, that had it not been deleted, you could have read the hundreds of posts made in opposition of this careless, divisionary and honestly, biased partisan Resolution.

I read the original resolution, and it does not speak for me. I guess in this day in the age, the hip thing to do is march, protest, and come up with a snazzy hashtag, to which I say: #NotMyResolution. Line by line, this resolution is filled with nothing more than partisan talking points continually espoused by the anti-Trump movement. President Trump, who was elected in a fair election by the people of this country, as well as overwhelmingly supported by THIS very community. I have heard this resolution was drafted and authored by Harold Spence. A quick perusal of his personal Facebook page and a clear narrative of his personal stance on this election are quite apparent. He however is one person, with one opinion, and does not begin to speak for the City of Homer. The council should play no part in validating this with their stamp of approval.

I would also like to add, in the spirit of compromise and coming together, a marvelous proposition was made to have a plaque made by members of the community, ALL members of the community and placed alongside our beautiful Homer sign as we come in to Homer. That idea was also zapped when the original post was deleted. It appears the motive behind this resolution has nothing to do with coming together as a community and all the other platitudes it claims to represent, when honest bipartisan ideas are presented, agreed upon, and welcomed… only to be shut down in favor of a resolution that aims to divide and cause hostility.

National political narratives have come to Homer. I have lived here 20 years and Homer has always been a town of inclusion, diversity and tolerance, absent any kind of resolution. What has changed to make this necessary now other than the election of a President some oppose? Many opposed the previous administration, and we didn’t draft resolutions alleging to speak for all of Homer. When President Clinton gave his “Nation of Laws” speech, we didn’t need a resolution. When Obama made an executive order addressing the safety of our country, we didn’t need a resolution. The wording contained in this draft is incendiary, biased, and that is why so many are speaking out against it. I could take the time to address every line in it, but I have kids to put to bed. I work hard, I am a face of love and tolerance in this City, those that know me would say that I’m the least combative and docile person they know. This however has me hopping mad.

We voted. Elections have consequences, I believe a certain President Obama made that statement and was met with applause and cheers. We have so many problems in our community that need honest time and resources. A lack of foster homes and adequate addressing to the issues that makes them necessary in the first place. A very real drug problem. A homeless problem. We don’t have the support to pass a measure to build a new Police Station, or the resources to open the Boys and Girls Club, or build a community center like SPARC without private fundraising, then how do we have the resources to welcome and invite in people of illegal status? How is that feasible? Where will they work? Live? What kind of effects will it bring from a crime standpoint? How will it affect our ability to request Federal Funding when needed? Caring for others means honest questions in how that picture comes to fruition. Honestly, it seems we have issues caring for our own… how is it responsible to take on the responsibility of properly caring for others? Having worked the night shift at Safeway, I have seen the dark underside I didn’t know existed in this town… one of drugs and addiction. I personally know of several families currently fostering children in need because of these problems. These need addressing before the City votes on making a blanket political statement that is opposed by MANY.

Looking at how Homer voted in this election, dare I say majority? We support this current administration and see this biased resolution as nothing more than an anti-Trump statement aimed to further fan the flames of animosity and escalate a National narrative of division. That is anti-Homer. If 900+ people can peacefully march and share their point of view and speak their mind on behalf of free speech and tolerance, it should go both ways. The very fact that our voices were “deleted” because the person that specifically invited open discourse didn’t like the way the discussion was going, is proof to me the bias in this resolution. The fact that an amazing idea was in essence shot down and deleted from public transparency also says to me this is more about politics and making a statement than care and concern for refugees/illegals/fill in the blank. It is not intellectually honest to claim to stand for the voiceless, while simultaneously rending others voiceless.

In closing, I will say this resolution is not only anti-Trump, partisan, biased, and irresponsible… it’s anti-Homer. It does not speak for me, and the Homer City Council should not be in the business of speaking for the collective on matters such as these that are not problems we experience here in Homer. We have, and always will be a community of differing thoughts, ideas, and political persuasions, that embraces diversity and extends tolerance to all. Like America, this is what makes us great. Not divisionary identity politics.

Thank you for taking the time to let me speak my mind and lend my voice on this topic.

Kesha Etzwiler