Village Government Wants to Reach Out to Immigrant Community, Assuage Fears

GREENPORT, NY — After a contentious national election, one Greenport Village Trustee wants to extend a helping hand to members of the immigrant community that might have "concerns or fears" about their futures.

Greenport Village Trustee Doug Roberts said despite a polarized nation, he feels an obligation to any immigrants living in Greenport.

To that end, at Thursday's Greenport village board work session, Roberts proposed the creation of an advisory council on Latino affairs comprised of both Latinos and non-Latinos, religious leaders, business owners, and residents, to make recommendations to the mayor and board about how to "encourage and increase communication immigrant and non-immigrant groups," he said.

The aim would be to bring the community together and provide advice and information about potential changes in immigration police and other issues.

"As an elected official, I feel it's my job to ensure that every one of our residents is safe and has access to all the opportunities available to any village resident, until such time as some other authority says a person is not entitled to those rights. Then, we would have to follow directions from that authority," he said.

With immigration a hot topic in the news, Roberts said he does see "immigration status as a thing that's relevant to me. If they're a Greenporter, then they deserve everything the village can provide."

In a shifting national landscape, Roberts said Greenport has a significant Latino population, and "some of them are about to experience a change in policies from the federal government that will affect them. There are changes coming . . and many feel uneasy."

He said he was unhappy with"rhetoric" nationally and would like to see the village take a leadership committee. In Dinni Gordon's book, he said, she spoke of an immigrant community "living in the shadows."

Fears of deportation and other issues may cause tensions, and the advisory council, he said, would aim to disseminate information and "calm people down about what could be happening and what's not happening," Roberts said. "I would like to see us take an active role in listening to folks," he said.

He pointed to Southold's anti bias task force which, he said, does "a really great job".

"The One Greenport Commission," would focus on the village working together; the committee would advise the board on issues. While Sister Margaret Smyth is a "great liaison," to the Latino community, and should be a member of the committee, she's not a resident, and he'd like to widen the scope in creating the commission, Roberts said.

Greenport Village Mayor George Hubbard supported the idea. "If anybody sees anything or hears anything, someone being bullied, that's not something we will tolerate in the village. We have to take that seriously. Everyone has to feel safe, that's here. We've got each others' back. We don't want kids being intimidated. Thank God a lot of stuff that's happened, hasn't happened here and we'd like to keep it that way."

Mary Bess Phillips said it's not just Latinos who have fears and concerns. "Greenport is a diverse ethnic group. If anyone is being picked on, they should be protected."

She added. "We're here because we love Greenport. We love our residents."