SYLACAUGA — The Sylacauga council meeting ended abruptly Thursday night after council president Tiffany Nix shut down public comment after citizens voiced concern with a recent influx of Haitian migrants.
Over 50 migrants were brought to the city, and residents want to know how they got there and why. With no answers provided by the federal government, some city council members feel their hands are tied.
Resident Mary Deason asked the council why they are not asking questions and finding out more if immigrants are being bussed into town. Nix responded by asking those in the council chambers if they had seen any buses.
Nix said she welcomes anyone in town stimulating the local economy, paying bills and shopping locally.
“I wasn’t going to comment on this, but I am now because I feel like I need to,” Nix said. “I’m going to welcome anybody to Sylacauga that wants to come to Sylacauga.”
She said as long as no one is breaking the law, she doesn’t see a problem with them being in Sylacauga.
Deason left the podium after stating, “In being here tonight and watching the city council meeting, I see why nothing gets done in this town. It’s very clear.”
Resident David Phillips then approached the podium.
“I have to say the attitude of the council throughout this process is entirely unacceptable,” he said.
“Do we know where the individuals we’re discussing are coming from?” he asked. “Where’s their point of origin? Because you’re treating them like lawful U.S. citizens, which they are not.”
“OK, so I’m going to cut it off,” Nix interrupted. “Because we’ve had three people come up. I’m going to cut it off because we have no reason to launch an investigation or to treat people differently because of how they look. There is no reason for it.”
After a heated back and forth between several citizens and Nix, the meeting was adjourned, leaving many residents with no opportunity to participate in the public hearing.
“This is our city!” people from the crowd yelled.
Citizens continued to approach council members after the meeting, and many of the exchanges became heated.
Mayor Jim Heigl confirmed to 1819 News that the immigrants were brought in legally for employment. He said they have been "model citizens," and there are no issues with the current number of immigrants living in the city.
When asked who told him the immigrants were here legally, Heigl said, “It came out from the governor's office and also came from Mike Rogers' office, Katie Britt’s office, and Tuberville.”
Governor Kay Ivey and others have not had the opportunity to respond to Heigl's comment. However, Council member Laura Heath said she does not believe lawmakers have been informed about the situation.
While it is a federal issue, Heath said she feels obligated to ask questions for her constituents and that they should be able to ask questions and voice concerns without being shut down.
“We’re put in office by the people to represent the people,” she said. “We’re to be their voice, and if we limit their voice, what are we doing for them? Nothing.”
“How are we serving them if we don’t know what they want?” she asked. “I think every citizen should have the right to speak. That’s their First Amendment right, and as city leaders, we need to be listening to what the people want, not what we want.”
“We can’t be in these seats for self-serving reasons,” she continued. “That’s how I feel from the heart. We have to serve the people.”
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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