As a longtime resident of the city of Spokane Valley, I am deep troubled by Councilman Ed Pace’s anti-sanctuary resolution. The way in which the resolution was passed was most troubling. It was added to the agenda during the meeting so citizens did not know about it before the meeting.

Majority members verbally abused council members Dean Grafos, Chuck Hafner and Bill Gothmann for having a dissenting opinion. They failed to have staff, especially City Attorney Cary Driskell, advise them as to the pros, cons, time and costs to staff and potential cost of litigation if the resolution is enforced. Then they passed the resolution after one reading without allowing the public to comment.

Councilman Arnie Woodard made it clear that “we are not like that city to the west.” Clearly, you are not. Spokane’s council put their resolution on the agenda and let the citizens know. Spokane had staff direct them on the pros and cons. The public was allowed to comment and the resolution had more than one hearing.

As a Spokane Valley voter, I wished to comment, but the new council majority does not honor citizens’ First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

Jennie Willardson

Spokane Valley