Town council got it right
By Staff
Council got it rightLeesburg Town Council deserves a pat on the back for delaying any notion of joining a coalition with Culpeper County on illegal immigration.
Culpeper County has been at the forefront of illegal immigration for some time. Steve Jenkins, a former supervisor there and current town councilman, has often conducted a one-man campaign to get rid of illegals.
Jenkins recently called the day-labor center in a Culpeper shopping center, where Hispanics gather each day seeking work, "a mess that has to be cleaned up."
Perhaps Kevin Wright, a Leesburg council member, said it best: "I think we need to understand our area and our role" before joining a coalition.
We agree with Councilman Wright that any coalition with limited power and authority to enforce rules and regulations that would refuse town services to illegals would be ineffective and cost the town time and money.
Watchdog is overdue
Although the timing of the announcement appears politically motivated, we commend the Board of Supervisors for voting to hire a county watchdog.
Our editorial of Feb. 7, 2007, ["Loudoun needs government watchdog"] stated: "Give us some accountability. Maybe the idea of a full-time general inspector to monitor our county government and its politicians is not far fetched. Let's make it happen – regardless of cost."
This action is long overdue.
Eight of the nine supervisors voted to add the position, which will include a three-person office. The money, at least half of million dollars, will be allocated in the spring when the new board completes next year's budget.
Supervisor Jim Clem (R-Leesburg) proposed the position, although we wonder why the announcement was made less than two months before Election Day.
Regardless, we hope this watchdog will take an unbiased approach to ensure that governmental ethics are upheld.