Republicans in Breckenridge, a border city in Wilkin County, didn't flock to their precinct caucus, according to the local newspaper, but those who did sure want to slam the door shut on new arrivals.
At the Wahpeton-Breckenridge Daily News, Carrie McDermott reports in Wilkin County precinct caucuses bring forth variety of resolutions:
. . .Since 2018 is not a presidential election year, caucus numbers tended to be down for both parties. In Wilkin County, 18 DFLers caucused at Breckenridge Library for three precincts, while the county’s Republican party had 10 voters in those precincts at Breckenridge High School. . . .
At the Republican caucus, moderated by Jesse Stuehrenberg, chair of Wilkin County Republicans, voters passed resolutions that included proposing English as the official language of Minnesota with the purpose of streamlining ballots and other state documents; a proposal requiring Minnesotans have proof of citizenship to be allowed to vote and to receive state benefits; a statewide stand your ground law; a proposal to prevent Minnesota from becoming a sanctuary state; and a proposal to prohibit abortions past 12 weeks of gestation.
Given that Wilkin County voters favored the failed voter photo ID amendment in 2012 (higher percentage than in surrounding counties, two of which supported the amendment, while two rejected it), the citizenship resolution support isn't surprising--nor the anti-immigrant English-only and Californication fears.
However, with a massive Riverview Dairy owned facility opening this year, we'd think the good citizens of Wilkin County might want to tone down the anti-immigrant and English-only cant if they want to be seen as business friendly. As the Stevens County Times reported in Riverview finds employees in immigrants:
. . .The company can't fill its open jobs with the available workforce in the U.S., Konz said.
Before it can hire any immigrants, the federal government requires the company to make sure no employees in the U.S. are available to take those unskilled jobs, Konz said.
VISA laws require Riverview to advertise in the U.S. to fill unskilled positions that most always will eventually be filled by immigrants, Konz said.
Riverview will advertise in at least 20 newspapers in several states and "we're lucky if we get one applicant," Konz said.
The company has found employees in Mexico, Konz said....
We'd like to think that official food and workplace safety notices in Spanish won't go the way of the small family dairy farm. Just saying.
Image: From an 1898 Wilkin County Railroad map. Don't ask.
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