West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis addresses a packed house regarding the city's policies and obligations regarding undocumented immigrants during the West Lafayette City Council meeting on March 6, 2017, in West Lafayette. Dennis did not ask to council to vote one or the other, but advised the city to proceed with caution through changing times. Staff photo by Jeremy Ervin
WEST LAFAYETTE — Often quiet and sleepy, the halls of Morton Community Center hosted a storm of public discussion Monday night.
West Side residents showed up to sound off on several issues before the West Lafayette City Council — including immigration policy, approval of Rise at Chauncey's rezoning petition and the city's opposition to the Americus Quarry Project.
Machaseh for Immigrants
A resolution outlining the city's view on undocumented immigrants prompted the most energetic discussion, with proponents and opponents switching off to speak. City attorney Eric Burns told those in the room that in his opinion, the resolution complied with current state and federal laws.
The resolution passed 6 to 3, with council members Aseem Jha, Gerry Keen and Norris Wang dissenting.
Republican Party precinct committeeman Perry Barbee expressed fears about West Lafayette losing out on federal dollars and on political division within the United States — asking the council to table the resolution.
"If Hillary Clinton won in November, would we be here passing this?" Barbee said. "No."
"It saddens me how everybody is so divided about everything. I think everybody has rushed into this without thinking hard enough."
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