Residents urge Ashe County commissioners to condemn anti-immigrant remarks, fault vice chair response

Lou Zeller, a Glendale Springs resident, told the Ashe County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 3 that a July 20 public comment crossed a line and that board follow-up validated the remarks. "Quote, I live at 247 Badger Street, and I'd like to complain about the immigrant center there," Zeller quoted the earlier speaker to the board and said the vice chair then promised follow-up. Zeller urged the board to consider "public apologies to affect to affected county residents, fair changes in county policies and procedures regarding racism, and other measures."

Dolly Reeves of Creston made a similar argument, criticizing commissioners who engaged the July 20 speaker and asking elected officials to be "anti racist leaders who know when and how to shut down remarks when this happens again." Reeves told the board that the earlier comment was more than a noise complaint because it attached identity and "presumed immigration status" to a neighborhood dispute.

Vice Chair Jerry Powers addressed the criticism during his remarks, saying he intended to direct the complaint to the municipal authority where the issue arose and apologized for any offense. "I apologize to the people who had to put up with the noise," Powers said, adding he was attempting to direct the concern to "the town of West Jefferson" rather than the county.

The board did not adopt formal disciplinary action during the Aug. 3 meeting. Chair McNeil had read the county's public comment rules at the start of the meeting, stressing three-minute remarks and that "board members will not respond or engage in dialogue during this time" to allow more voices to be heard.