‘Double Standard’ on Monterey Park

The article which appeared in the Los Angeles Times about Monterey Park on April 6 deserves some clarification.

First, the resolution which was passed by the City Council was not intended to “ferret out illegals,” as you state. The resolution simply stated that if you were arrested for committing a crime and you appeared to be in the U.S. illegally (which is of course against the law), you would be referred to the immigration service. Please be aware that I am only upholding the Constitution, the same Constitution that I was sworn to uphold when I took my place on the council.

The Police Department did not go out looking for illegals, and this policy did not direct the police to report to the INS those individuals guilty of minor traffic violations. It seems strange that you should condemn me for upholding the law.

Secondly, the senior citizen complex was denied because it required a zone change and the granting of variances. The facility in question was a three-story structure in a single-family residential area. The structure itself was only seven feet from the adjacent property line. It is my feeling that if you can’t play by the rules, then don’t play. The council instructed the developer to redesign the facility or select another site and we would take it under consideration at that time.

Thirdly, the flag issue. Monterey Park has only two flagpoles in front of City Hall--one for the U.S. flag and one for the state flag. At a recent “flag-raising” ceremony, the U.S. flag was taken down and the Republic of China’s flag raised.

Rather than create problems, the council voted to prohibit any flag other than the U.S. and California flags from flying on the City Hall flagpoles. We did indicate that the foreign flag could be raised at a flagpole in any of our city parks. It is interesting to note that Los Angeles has an ordinance prohibiting any foreign flag from flying not only in front of City Hall but also in any public area. From the tone of your article, then, the mayor and councilmen of Los Angeles would be “racists.” Certainly they’re not, but the “folks” from Monterey Park are.

Fourthly, the attempt on curbing mini-malls and haphazard development in Monterey Park is “racist.” Please note that Los Angeles is planning a moratorium on mini-malls and has initiated a stringent hillside development ordinance. This was supported by several minority councilmen. In Monterey Park this proposal would be “racist.”

It’s too bad we live by a double standard.

PATRICIA REICHENBERGER

Councilwoman

Monterey Park