Readers may remember that a storm blew up in Dover, NH and surrounding towns near refugee-overloaded Manchester, NH last summer when a wannabe refugee contractor jumped the gun and asked to brief the mayor on the possible placement of African refugees in the town.
This is a very very informative article that confirms what we have learned from experience—if your elected officials ask questions and demand public accountability from the resettlement contractors and the US State Department, you can back them down.
Mayor Karen Weston should be taking credit for helping her small city dodge a bullet (for now)!
From Foster’s Daily Democrat (emphasis is mine):
DOVER — Local mayors are feeling “reassured” after state and federal officials confirmed this week that the Tri-Cities are not being considered for refugee resettlement.
“Right now, we have been put at ease,” Dover Mayor Karen Weston said Friday.
Weston joined Rochester Mayor T.J. Jean and Somersworth Mayor Dana Hilliard on a conference call with N.H. refugee coordinator Barbara Seebart and staff from the offices of U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Kelly Ayotte. [One thing the contractors fear, and the State Department pays attention to, is how involved Senators and Congressmen become in the process!—ed]
During the hour-long call, the mayors learned how refugee resettlement works in New Hampshire.
Everyone facing the possibility of refugee resettlement for your town, pay attention to this next line. They do not seek extensive feedback unless you demand it!
Among the key takeaways: The process takes time, and the resettlement organizations seek extensive feedback from potential host communities.
In other words, refugee resettlement doesn’t happen overnight. [We have seen it virtually overnight where the local elected officials are SILENT or complicit.—ed]
“I feel reassured that if Rochester or any of the Tri-City communities were going to be considered there would be a very thorough process for public input,” Jean said.
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen such an informative article as this one involving targeted cities! Continue reading:
Cities and towns cannot block refugee resettlement, just as they cannot restrict people of any race or ethnicity from moving in. [This first part of the sentence is what the bullies will tell your elected officials, but be assured if you question their plans and demand answers they will likely move on to another (softer) target site.—ed]
Weston and Jean have expressed concern about potential impacts on local schools, housing and city services if refugees settled in the region.
“It’s very clear that the Tri-City area does not have the infrastructure to support refugee resettlement, at least how it stands right now,” Jean said Friday.
Who does have the infrastructure to support refugees? I believe it is the case that very few of the 180 plus cities that are already getting hundreds of impoverished immigrants don’t have the infrastructure. It is really just a matter of how complacent a community is—if no questions are asked, refugees will be moved in!
See our complete archive on Dover, NH here.