An article in the Gainesville Times today provides an intelligent, in-depth review of the 9500Liberty special screening to explain the April 29th roll-back of the Immigration Resolution.

For those who were not there last Friday, there is another screening in the works for next week, probably Thursday. In the mean time, here is the more popular of two clips on the 9500Liberty channel, even though the other one is more interesting:

I feel like this was a much more inquisitive piece of writing. The MJM article focused on varying reactions while this article focused on the content of the film:

The film had its share of suspense and drama, even for those who were familiar with the outcomes of each board vote.

Nohe is presented at some points in a fashion similar to a reality television show star who sits in front of a camera and talks about what was going through his mind in between clips of a particular situation.

His most prominent role comes during the climax when the board was trying to decide on a tax rate. At the centerpiece of the funding issue was the $3.1 million price tag to put video cameras in police cars. Deane has asked for the cameras to allow officers to fight the inevitable lawsuits based on charges of racial profiling.

“The whole program’s getting unbelievably expensive,” said Nohe.

Part of the problem was that the resolution had changed several times since its inception.

Originally, it called for police to check the immigration status of every person stopped for a violation. It was later changed to allow police to check the immigration status if the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect is an illegal immigrant. That variation is the one that prompted the chief to ask for cameras in the police cars.

In order to pay for the cameras, the real estate tax rate would have had to be set at 98.7 cents per $100 of assessed value. After the 98.7 rate failed on a 4-4 vote, Principi asked for a 97-cent rate on a motion to eliminate the cameras and require all immigration checks to be done post-arrest.

That failed 7-1.

Viewers find out here that during a behind-the-scenes meeting between Stewart and Principi, the Republican chairman asked the Democrat to go back on his resolution.

“There’s not a hell’s worth of chance that I would oppose it,” the Woodbridge supervisor said he responded, later adding that since their break, he had the five votes needed to get a similar version of his motion passed with fewer cameras and all immigration checks moved to post-arrest.

It passed unanimously, leading Principi, who once said the illegal immigration resolution was “essentially failing,” to tell the filmmakers on camera, “I’m going to declare victory and go home.”

The post-arrest scenario, which is what was finally adopted, means that after a person has been charged with a crime, police will investigate their immigration status. Since every person charged will be checked, there is less concern about racial-profiling complaints.

100 Thoughts to “Gainesville Times Review of 9500Liberty Special Screening”

  1. Why is every post I make being automatically placed in moderation?

    This never happened before. Have I been identified as a threat by the TP (Thought Police a.k.a. Toilet Paper)???

  2. I agree with Alanna that this is an excellent article. I have some minor quibbles but no complaints. I don’t know why the article says “fewer” cameras in police cruisers. I believe what was at issue was the question of cameras or no cameras. “Fewer” was not an option as far as I know.

    The article correctly reports that, according to Supervisor Principi, Chairman Stewart tried to trick him into voting against a policy change that was very similar to the policy change Principi himself had proposed two hours earlier. But the wording is confusing in my view. Gainesville Times reporter Dan Roem wrote:

    “Viewers find out here that during a behind-the-scenes meeting between
    Stewart and Principi, the Republican chairman asked the Democrat to go
    back on his resolution.”

    Instead of “go back,” he might have written “vote against.”

    The resolution that Stewart asked Principi to vote against was to set the tax rate at 97 cents, and take the police cameras out of the budget. This is the one that passed unanimously minutes later.

    According to Principi, Stewart’s words to him were to the effect of: The Board has reached a deal — we move immigration checks to post-arrest, but only if you vote against it.

    Asked to reflect on the incident a few weeks later, Principi expressed amusement that Stewart would ask him to vote against “my own resolution.”

    But Principi also explains in the final moments of the film, shot just minutes after the unanimous vote, that there is a difference between his resolution and the one that passed.

    Both motions amended the policy so that immigration checks are done post-arrest, both called for a 97 cent tax rate, and both removed the police cameras from the budget.

    HOWEVER, the motion that failed 7 to 1 would have required immigration checks for all people (regardless of ethnicity) who end up in jail. The motion that passed 8 to 0 required immigration checks for all people (regardless of ethnicity) who are arrested.

    Not everyone arrested is remanded to jail. Chief Deane told us that about half the people arrested are released on their own recognizance. So this was indeed a comprise of sorts.

    Also, let me explain a bit more about the 4 to 4 vote. This was the most dramatic moment according to everyone we interviewed, on and off camera. In a highly unusual maneuver, Chairman Stewart passed the gavel to Supervisor Stirrup so that he could make a motion without breaking protocol (normally the Chairman is not supposed to make motions).

    It is my impression that none of the other Supervisors wanted to make this motion because it involved a raise in taxes. Instead of the 97 cents (per 100 dollars of assessed property value) they had agreed upon on April 22nd, Stewart proposed 98.7 cents. He seemed pained to be the advocating a raise in taxes, but said he felt the Immigration Resolution was very important, otherwise he would never do such a thing. My guess is that he hoped that by taking this unusual step, he would lure his colleagues to join him in raising taxes knowing that Stewart would take most of the heat for it.

    There were laughs in the chamber as Stewart snatched the gavel back from Stirrup immediately after the motion was made. Stirrup seconded the motion as the gavel slipped off its holder making a resounding clatter in the microphone under Stewart’s chin.

    Principi asked for help from County Attorney Ross Horton, wondering if this “little escapade” was within the rules. Horton said that it was unusual but not prohibited for the Chairman to make a motion.

    Seconds later, Caddigan and Covington joined Stewart and Stirrup in voting for the tax hike that would have “put the cameras back” as Stewart phrased it, and allowed him to keep the policy in tact (with immigration checks out in the field triggered by “probable cause” that someone might be undocumented).

    The motion failed as a tie, 4 to 4, with Supervisor Nohe, Supervisor Jenkins, and Supervisor May joining Principi in voting against it.

    After Principi’s motion also failed, the Board tried to carry on with business, but really could not make any headway without knowing what the tax rate would be. Next came a recess that was announced as “15 minutes” but lasted nearly 2 hours. During that time, among many other negotiations, Stewart asked Principi to vote against the policy change.

    My understanding is that both Caddigan and Covington voted with the Chairman to raise taxes because they wanted more money for the schools. Caddigan said so just prior to the vote. (According to a 1998 law, the schools are provided 56.75% of the county’s general revenue — in other words, the higher the tax rate, the more money for the schools.) Covington said he still thinks we need police cameras for various reasons above and beyond the immigration controversy.

  3. Casual Observer

    Eric,
    It’s my recollection that Corey’s motion included “5 million dollars for the schools to do whatever they want with, but only if we fund the cruiser cameras” which would makes Caddigan’s statement true. I haven’t been to a screening but I watched that BOCS meeting live on television and I just remember being incensed that Stewart tried to tie increased funding for schools (which they desperately needed) to his motion. He didn’t favor any kind of tax increase to get more funds to the PWC Schools budget, but then he was willing to throw in and extra $5 million almost like it was chump change, just to get his tax increase and cameras.

    Is that comment by Stewart (it was made when he was introducing or discussing his motion, I believe). I think it was the most heinous act he’s committed as Chair of the BOCS and I’m stunned that he never got called out on it.

  4. Casual Observer

    Hi, Alanna!
    Can you email me, please? Nothing urgent. Thanks!

  5. Casual Observer

    Eric,
    I meant to ask “is that comment by Stewart (it was made when he was introducing or discussing his motion, I believe) IN THE FILM?” I left the last part of that thought out. 🙂 Guess my mind was working faster than my fingers.

  6. NotGregLetiecq

    Casual, as much as I’d like to pile on Corey Stewart here, I think the extra 5 million for the schools is just a mandated consequence of higher taxes. He was doing the good news/bad news thing knowing his anti-tax base was listening. Can’t blame him for mentioning the good news: more money for schools.

  7. Casual Observer

    NGL…yes, that’s one interpretation, but then you have to remember that he previously refused any tax increase in order to increase funds for schools. I remember he distinctly said $5 million more for schools, but only if we include cameras. My point being that he rejected any kind of tax increase for the schools prior to that day, and yet there he was advocating for a tax increase in order to fully fund cameras and, oh yeah, the schools will pick up an extra five million in the deal, “but only if we include cameras.” Translation: “I’ll only raise taxes for cameras. The schools can go to hell.” If I’m being charitable, I’ll say he has his priorities out of whack. If I’m being honest, I’ll say his a political opportunist in the worst sort of way.

    He’s supposed to serve the public interest, and he’s failed miserably.

  8. Of course Principi was going to say no way in hell to that “deal.”. Did Stewart think Principi wasn’t going to at least ask his fellow Board members if such a deal really existed?

    Stewart was begging and pleading in the back room for 2 hours while the rest of the Board waited with nothing better to do than drum on the desk (did you see that bit with Marty Nohe playing Ringo Starr?). The Board was BORED! Bored out of their minds for two hours because they all knew the moderates had 6 votes before the day began. I don’t know why exactly they were letting Stewart twist in the wind like that. Someone could have gone back there and said “give it up kid, it’s time to face the music.” Stewart was whipped and there was nothing he could do about it.

    So why did Stewart ask Principi to vote against the neutering of the policy?. What did he think he would gain? The perception that he won and Principi lost. That’s b.s. And I’ll tell you why. The Stewart vs. Principi thing is a false construct. It was Stewart’s political manuever to make it a partisan thing to pressure the other Supervisors (five of them Republican) into voting with him.
    The moderate Republicans on the Board didn’t vote with Principi; they voted with the best interests of the county, something Stewart no longer understands.

    As for the schools thing, I agree with both of Casual Observer’s assessments … the “charitable” one and the “honest” one. Stewart is a political opportunist with his priorities out of whack.

  9. SecondAlamo

    I think this comment in the article sums up the video rather well:

    “While the film did not exclusively contain heroes and villains, it was quite obvious the two filmmakers had their share of disagreements with board Chairman Corey Stewart (R-at large) and Help Save Manassas president and local blogger Greg Letiecq.”

    It’s always proper to let people know that the video wasn’t without bias.

  10. Turn PW Blue

    Eric:

    One correction. The revenue-sharing agreement between the BOCS and School Board is not a binding law. It’s a standing agreement that’s been in place since 1998, but it doesn’t carry the force of a law or formal resolution. The BOCS is free to allocate whatever percentage they’d like to the schools. In other words, they like to play as though their hands are tied when it comes to funding schools (i.e., for every extra dollar given to the schools, revenue actually has to increase $1.76), but that’s not the reality.

  11. […] Gainesville Times Review of 9500Liberty Special Screening at Anti-BVBL. In Just Call the Cops Anti-BVBL is challenged by another blog PWConservative claiming Anti-BVBL claims all Hispanics are being dragged out of PWC. Of course, this isn’t true. Also read NY Times: The Laws Cops Can’t Enforce. This Op-Ed in the NY Times, hits the nail on the head. We owe it to our law enforcement officers to come up with a workable federal immigration policy that does not force police departments to succumb to political pressures to ‘reduce immigration by using racial profiling and harassment’. […]

  12. Dolph

    To her credit, Mrs. Caddigan will always try to get additional resources for the schools. Good for her. School funding should never be held hostage.

  13. Another bias mentioned, Mr.
    Alamo, was that the movie bypasses the fear and suffering of the immigrant community. It also bypasses the economic disaster the Resolution has created and/or worsened. It is almost entirely limited to things said by public officials who probably aren’t to keen on hilighting those facts. But I think if you had watched it you would have found little to honestly quarrel with. Your preferred politition Corey Stewart has been misleading the public in cointless ways for a year. But the only person that I saw who calls him on this in the film is fellow Republican Linda Chavez. Your best gripe would be that the film does not allow Stewart the opportunity to explain the contradictions between his public statements (which contradict each other depending on the audience) and the truth as seemingly everyone else in the government sees it.
    This is a flaw like the others I hope can be fixed before the film is widely seen.

  14. Moon-howler

    I wonder if Chief Deane knows he has become a Super Hero because of his battle against the Forces of Evil. He really shines as the quintessential Chief of Police in this clip.

  15. There’s something undemocratic with the concept of heros. Americans don’t need heros. We just need to rely on ourselves.

  16. NotGregLetiecq

    I wonder if Marty Nohe knows he is now, not only Batman, but also Rob Mariano from “Survivor” and “Amazing Race.” Haha. Was Chief Deane Superman? He was right? Chief Deane is the greatest. And to answer my own question, Marty probably doesn’t know who Rob Mariano is….

  17. info

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    Kaine has announced $7.4 billion in economic development investments, bringing tens of thousands of jobs, since taking office in January 2006.
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  18. Moon-howler

    Governor Kaine must be doing something right. I guess all that vilifying from the dark screen fell on deaf ears. The rest of the state just wasn’t listening to the Order of the Red Circle.

  19. 1. Excellent point, Casual and I believe your assessment of the 5 million is correct. Remember, Corey is the guy who wants to replace the School Board with….himself.

    2. Someone, get a pic of Chief Deane, superimpose a cape on him and a large “D” or “C” and send it to him. Come on. He would get a laugh!! 🙂

  20. 2. Someone, get a pic of Chief Deane, superimpose a cape on him and a large “D” or “C” and send it to him. Come on. He would get a laugh!!

    Shoot, this sounds like too much fun. I might have to do it myself!!

  21. I would like to see a cartoon of the Wonder Twins, aka The GregNCorey Show.

  22. Dang. I can’t do the cape thing. Tried, but I don’t have the right software. Come on someone….do it! It would be really funny (IMHO with my warped sense of humor).

  23. I loved that, too! I laughed my butt off. Wonder Twins….ACTIVATE!

  24. People! would ya slow down, I’m drawing as fast as I can! give me about 4 or 5 hours and I’ll have something for ya!

    sheesh!

  25. NotGregLetiecq

    I just noticed the articles says that Chief Deane agreed to “privately meet with a Mexican consulate.” Is this even true? Because it looked like the meeting was open to the public and a lot of people showed up, many of whom might not have done so if they new police officers would be there given the climate at the time.

    But was there another meeting prior to this that was private? If not, I think that was a mistake in the article. The whole stupid slander from Gospel Greg about it being a “secret meeting” gets watered down to “private meeting” in the press, but the lie is still out there, just not as pronounced.

    Tell me if I’m wrong, and there was indeed another meeting in addition to this obviously public meeting. If I’m right, the puppeteer still has some strings even though he’s been snipped.

  26. Turn PW Blue, you are very smart. My mistake, it is not a law that ties school budget to general county revenue. It’s an agreement between the BOCS and the School Board.

    Casual Observer, Chairman Stewart’s motion is shown in its entirely in the version we presented last week (and will again next week, probably Thursday). But I want to explain again that this special screening is not the same film that we are simultaneously editing for distribution.

    The special screening we are sharing now is a DETOUR in the post production process that we decided to make because there was so much confusion about what the policy is and why it changed.

    Most of the version we are sharing now will become “bonus features,” if anything, by the time the real film is out.

  27. Actually, I shouldn’t have said “most.” A lot of the scenes in this version are important and will be in the final film.

    What I’m trying to say is that we’re including the procedural and inside politics stuff for benefit of residents of PWC — the people to whom this particular democracy belongs. When the film is seen outside this county, there will be less of the elected and appointed officials, and more of the everyday citizens.

  28. OK you asked for it, Rod2155 presents the “Blunder Twins”!!!!!!!!

    http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1738/blundertwins002ag2.jpg

    (do they even look like Corey and Greg?, I have a tough time drawing real people…)

  29. Moon-howler

    Fabulous!

  30. Moon-howler

    Eric, where is the sign up sheet for the reserved copy?

  31. Anybody have any ideas for captions? I’ll take the best one and add it to the Image!

  32. TWINAD

    Rod,

    Very funny!

  33. ROD! LMAO! That’s awesome! Love the placement of the elephant.

    (BTW, should GL be wearing his signature visor?)

  34. Casual Observer

    Okay, Rod, THAT is funny. 🙂 Thanks.

  35. Censored bybvbl

    Rod, lol!

  36. NotGregLetiecq

    If there is no such thing as absolute proof that Corey Stewart is too closely linked to one of the nation’s seven classified nativist vigilantes, a cartoon strip called “The Blunder Twins” should at least be an indication.

    The first book should join them as the plot to storm the Hall of Justice. A little monkey pops up on Greg Letiecq’s shoulders. His name is Gleek, but we affectionately know him as Mike Hethmon from FAIR. But then, if Mike Hethmon from FAIR is Gleek, who does John Stirrup get to be? Does anyone remember any of the lesser known Super Friends? There was the Native American guy who could grow really big but that’s no good for a man who left Arlington because of all the ethnic people there. There was a lightning guy. What was his name. Yellow bolt of lightning?

  37. Jorge Pollo

    Rod-I need a kleenex!

  38. Elvis

    Of course the queer film maker is going to agree with it! it’s a positive review of his idiotic and racist portrayal of prince william county. didnt see a large write up on the negative review however, strangely silent on that one.

    I’ll make no bones about it, I do think the majority of hispanics in the poorer areas are illegals. I’ll be you my next paycheck that you could head down to marumsco and round up a few truckloads right now and not a damn one of them will be legal. stop clouding the facts that people ARE here illegally and something needs to be done. Byler and his little toady need to head back to korea or wherever they are from and start hunting for macacas to film or something.

  39. So Elvis, is it true you were the guy with the big mullet at the first screening?

  40. Chris

    Elvis,
    That last post is over the top, even by your standards(or lack there of). I don’t think anyone has said that there isn’t a living sould that’s in PWC illegally. Everyone sees things differently. Honestly, have you ever met anyone that agreed with you on everything and thought exactly like you? If you did. Did you brainwash or clone them? Perhaps, you should hunt a Happy Hour down somewhere.
    UFB!

  41. Casual Observer

    Elvis is just jealous. He wants to be a Wonder Triplet!! 🙂

  42. Juturna

    Elvis life must be really dull over there on BVBL. Must be jealous of all the fun and talent over here.

    Rod that cartoon is just perfect. I second Jorge in needing a kleenex…..

    So we are having a caption contest. Hmmm.

  43. Moon-howler

    No Elvis isn’t racist. He is just vile. Elvis, go have another drink. The typing isn’t sloppy enough yet for you to have really tied one on.

    I just made an executive decision in Alanna and Elena’s absence to keep this up here. Any time anyone from the order of the red circle says that they aren’t racist, post Elvis’s words as proof that they have a few in their midsts.

    M-H

  44. NotGregLetiecq

    Not all Red Spots are bigots, but Elvis is proof that bigotry is certainly a part of their mantra. Me, I have nothing against bigots. I just don’t want them running my government.

  45. Michael

    None of us on the con-illegal side who support Democracy and lawfulness, claim Elvis. He’s out on his own rant ideology. You can post this comment with his too, if you want a truely accurate picture.

  46. NotGregLetiecq

    And then there’s Michael who disowns bigotry but doesn’t understand the meaning of the word democracy. I’ll admit I prefer Michael, but just barely.

  47. Michael

    NGL, there are bigots which support lawlessness and anarchy in the pro-illegal immigrant community and on this this blog which exhibit equal malice toward people with views they don’t agree with.

  48. Michael

    NGL
    Democracy is the power of the people to self govern, not the power of groups to self govern. ANY group which excludes and denigrates another is a BIGOT. I understand Democracy far better than the comments by most people on this blog indicate they do.

    My comments about Democracy have always centered around the following, others comments have not.

    WIKI:Democracy is a system of government by which political sovereignty is retained by the people and exercised directly by citizens. In modern times it has also been used to refer to a constitutional republic where the people have a voice through their elected representatives. The first principle is that all members of the society have equal access to power and the second that all members enjoy universally recognized freedoms and liberties.

    I’d say the following pretty much summs it up for most of the comments I’ve seen by EVERYONE on this blog.

    WIKI:A bigot is a person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own.

    Do you beg to differ with either definition?

  49. Moon-howler

    There were no negative reviews of the screening. One focused on how people reacted to it and another focused on the content of the film.

    Dear Michael, there are those of us here, mostly female, who feel you might be just a teensy weensy bit biased against women. But this is not the thread to explore that. Feel free to choose another if you want. This one should try to emphasis what a nice job Annabel and Eric have done archiving our county government for the past year. Not our finest hour but…its ours.

    Also Michael, I think a few people claim Elvis. Mrs. Elvis sure does.

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