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Oologah, Ok. mayor and city councilors
"Our proposal was initiated by local citizens who had come to me and were talking about losing their jobs to the influx of illegal workers coming into the area and asked if the town could do anything about it," (Oologah mayor Jerry) Holland says."
"We found no Oologah residents against the ordinance."
"He (Oologah mayor Holland) wants to start a trend and send a message to state legislators. There is one other city in Green Country looking into a similar ordinance in Inola."
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/1006/366022.html
Oologah Passes Ordinance Banning Illegal Workers
Tuesday October 03, 2006 7:59am Reporter: Abby Ross Posted By: Kevin King
Oologah - The ordinance was passed. In thirty days, illegal immigrants cannot work in the city limits of Oologah. And, the mayor says the ordinance seeks to protect the local and legal work force.
All of the workers who work for Ken Shelton and S&S Steel Constructors are legal.
"Do you use illegal immigrants? No. Have you ever? No."
Ken says he doesn't want to sneak behind the government's back and break the law. But, he says in the construction business, many employers do. They hire illegal immigrants, making it harder for Ken to find clients.
"When you go out and bid a job and the guy's got five illegal immigrants, paying half of what I'm paying, you know he's got less cost and he can bid the job cheaper."
Ken has not complained to any city leaders, although Oologah Mayor Jerry Holland has received several other complaints. That's why he wants an ordinance that will prohibit illegal immigrants from working in Oologah.
"Our proposal was initiated by local citizens who had come to me and were talking about losing their jobs to the influx of illegal workers coming into the area and asked if the town could do anything about it," Holland says.
And Monday night, amongst a small group of Oologah neighbors, the council voted in favor of the ordinance.
We found no Oologah residents against the ordinance. But, many wondered if it will work.
"I don't think they'll ever be able to completely control it," says Tyler Christensen. "They've got more going on behind their back than they believe."
The city plans to enforce the ordinance through written complaints. If a citizen files a complaint with the city clerk, the city gives the business three days to prove their workers are legal. If they can't prove that, their right to do business will be suspended.
City leaders admit it will take time to work out the kinks. But, employers like Ken are willing to wait.
"I think it should be more than just Oologah," he says.
Mayor Holland thinks that too. He wants to start a trend and send a message to state legislators. There is one other city in Green Country looking into a similar ordinance in Inola.
Oologah's Council Passes Ordinance Aimed At Illegal Immigrants
KOTV - 10/3/2006 6:11 AM - Updated 10/3/2006 7:42 AM
A Rogers County town is taking a stand against illegal immigration.
The Oologah town council has passed an ordinance making it illegal for employers to hire illegal immigrants inside the Oologah city limits.
The ordinance was introduced by the mayor. Jerry Holland says Oologah will enforce the law he says the feds have failed to enforce. Oologah mayor Jerry Holland: "They're spineless. They've done nothing about it. It all has to do with our entire immigration policy and something needs to be done."
Contractors we spoke with say it would really help small businesses if cities like Tulsa cracked-down on employers who hire illegal immigrants.
Oologah's ordinance takes effect in 30 days.
Inola, also in Rogers County, is also considering an immigration mandate.
Towns in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Florida, California and Colorado have already passed similar ordinances, which hold employers and landlords responsible for upholding the law.
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