Finding ways to help the community

I think it’s time for me to speak out my concerns about Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor’s anti-illegalimmigration proposal. I don’t usually respond to what I read in the newspapers unless I believe it will help to clarify a situation that involves my name and takes a perspective that contradicts my position.

Byron de Arakal made some very good observations in his Feb. 11 column, “Holding businesses hostages.” At the end of his comments he wrote that his hope was that I “would step forward and lead the dialogue between the city and the Latino community.” He also mentioned that “unfortunately and inexplicably, Burciaga stood with Lopez at his Feb. 2 news conference announcing the boycott” and that he hopes that I will “reconsider and help lead a constructive dialogue.”

This is not a response to de Arakal, but a clarification to my Costa Mesa community.

First I want to thank de Arakal for bringing this up. I also want to say that I love Costa Mesa and that I want to keep Costa Mesa friendly, and I have already expressed my own position on this issue.

Since the approval of the proposal many things came into play; many residents spoke at the City Council meeting, speaking out against this decision. I too, have been attending the City Council meetings and have expressed my disappointment and opposition to the policy.

I am not in favor of illegal immigration and I believe that one of the basic functions of the federal government is to secure our borders and keep us safe. In January, six tunnels were discovered between San Diego and Tijuana; one of the tunnels had a very complex ventilation system. The federal government has done little, and the challenge is larger than we imagine. Our government has failed to create and improve mutually beneficial immigration legislation that can help to control all the problems we face. Our president recently recognized the need for an immigrant workforce.

The dynamics of the actions of our City Council will be examined, not only locally, but across the nation in which people are marching, protesting, threatening boycotts -- all of which incite racial hate. This kind of action only helps the political aspirations of so many dehumanized politicians who are looking for power rather than improving our way of life.

I am very disappointed with the process that Mayor Allan Mansoor used to bring forward this proposal. There were no study sessions; there was no public hearing; there was no dialogue between community leaders and members of our community, who are the most affected. I am very disappointed to see how the majority of the council is imposing its will, making decisions and not listening to the community, without a vision and consideration of consequences.

I am sure everyone in Costa Mesa wants to see criminals arrested -- no matter what their legal or social status, creed, color or beliefs. This proposal is not only about arresting criminals, this proposal is about the upheaval of hardworking members of our community and their families, who are a proven benefit to our economy.

I’ve been attending various meetings and participating in discussions on this issue. I plan to keep attending and trying to understand what kind of role I can play for the benefit of my community, not only the Westside Latinos but the community at large. I have attended meetings with the Tonantzin Collective group and have voiced my concerns. My opinion has many times been questioned because I don’t align with all their beliefs or their actions.

I have been at two meetings with Nativo Lopez’s group. At a forum at Santa Ana Community College, he announced his intentions to promote an economic boycott, non-cooperation with Costa Mesa police, and a march in reaction to the mayor’s proposal.

He called later for a meeting. I attended that meeting because of the nature of the action and because it was my city that he was talking about. As a business owner, I will become involved in causes that will protect not only me but also the business community.

At the first meeting with Lopez a group decision was made to have a news conference. I was not supposed to talk at that conference; I decided to do so after I saw the magnitude of the issue.

In my short speech, I invited the business community to speak out. I mentioned how people have been afraid to go out and how our businesses are being affected. We, the businesses in the Westside, have already been boycotted by this proposal. We are the ones who are losing.

I am not the one who called for the boycott, nor am I the one who is leading this action. I am only a concerned long-time resident and business owner, trying to get a real sense of what’s going on and how I can help.

I have no power to control what Coyotl Tezcatlipoca and his group are doing. The same is true of Lopez’s group.

I am only one voice.

I am continuing efforts to help the Latino community have as much information as it can, helping pass information about the forums that members of the Latino community attend to gain knowledge about this issue. I have talked to Police Chief John Hensley and keep in communication with him.

At the Feb. 7 City Council meeting, more than 650 letters of opposition to the proposal were delivered by Paul Flanagan. These letters reflect an effort that I am also pursuing with other leaders to help the community. Ivan Calderon and I had a meeting last week with merchants from the Westside to see how we can work together in this issue.

Those who attempt to influence public policy and legislation through inflammatory rhetoric and signs such as we are witnessing worldwide will also achieve the inevitable -- contempt.

I will continue to make it my responsibility to make myself aware of anything that is affecting my city, to attend meetings with different groups, to talk to residents, and to learn of the different opinions and sentiments within the community.

Only then will I be able to make a decision on my position.

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Mirna Burciaga owns a business on the Westside and is a former Costa Mesa parks and recreation commissioner.

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