During the Commissioner’s Meeting for July, several citizens stepped forward to speak about an item on the agenda that one citizen requested be put on.

John Williamson spoke first saying his motivation for the topic was his belief in the country and rule of law. With the recent national attention to Sanctuary Cities and Counties, Williamson says he began wondering if Gilmer has become a “de facto Sanctuary County.” Though no resolution has passed to make Gilmer County such, Williamson began questioning if we are not sufficiently enforcing immigration laws.

Citing the 2014 resolution from the County Commissioners instructing law enforcement to enforce immigration laws, Williamson asked those in attendance if they believed there were no illegal immigrants in the county? With no comments, he pointed that question to the county is not whether we want to enforce laws, but that it is necessary to enforce them in following the constitution.

Williamson also noted effects he’s seen on the County including the Board of Education’s addition of two new ESL teachers due to increases in children requiring the service.

Jason Williamson speaks with Gilmer Commissioner during the Sanctuary County topic of the July BOC Meeting.

Others spoke at the meeting as well including one citizen who brought up a death on 515, saying the case is still unsolved. He did state his support for anyone from any country moving to our county through the proper paperwork and processes. Offering newspaper cutouts to the Commissioners with Sheriff Reports and notes regarding numerous crime reports involving illegal immigrants, he went on to say that our law enforcement and government services are being added stress through these situations. It is the taxpayers who foot the bill for illegals through these services and crimes involving them.

Still more citizens echoed the sentiments, stating a moral obligation to deal with these situations.

Post Commissioner Dallas Miller commented on the subject reading parts of the resolution he was a part of in 2014. Miller stated the Commissioners have dealt with the issue through that resolution along with the county’s denial to the Federal Government to house illegal immigrants in the county. Chairman Charlie Paris answered citizens questioning the Sheriff’s role saying they should be speaking with him about the level of enforcement and other questions.

Jason Williamson asked the Commissioners if the Commissioner’s Meeting could be used as a venue to speak with Sheriff Stacy Nicholson about the topic. While Paris suggested they make the request of Sheriff Nicholson himself, he did say the Commissioners Meeting would be available as a venue stating, “We would certainly make him feel welcome.”