Nov 1, 2006 5:32 pm US/Central
Farmers Branch Debates 'English Only' Proposal
by Sarah Dodd
FARMERS BRANCH (CBS 11 News) ―
Farmers Branch is rarely in the middle of a controversy, but the national spotlight has recently been fixated on the city because of illegal immigration ordinances that the city is considering.
Nuevo Leon Restaurant has been in Farmers Branch for more than a decade. At lunchtime, the tables are usually full. Lately, customers have been buzzing about councilmember Tim O'Hare and the controversial resolutions that he is proposing.
"I don't like to talk about it," said restaurant manager Maggie Garcia. "Most of our customers are Anglo, and we appreciate that." Garcia says that making English the official language of the city and fining employers who hire illegal immigrants, as O'Hare has proposed, will be harmful for the economy.
Bonnie Arnett, on the other hand, has lived in the quiet community for 30 years. She supports the proposals. "I think we should have to speak English here," she said.
"It saves taxpayers money," city councilmember O'Hare explained. "I don't think things should be printed in any language than English. What's next? German? Vietnamese?"
Farmers Branch Mayor Bob Phelps isn't so sure.
On Tuesday, courts temporarily blocked a Pennsylvania city from executing a similar ordinance.
The council will consider a resolution at its next meeting on November 13.
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