BEACHWOOD, Ohio — Beachwood City Council wants the world to know that it is a welcoming community and that it doesn’t agree with President Donald Trump’s executive order temporarily prohibiting citizens from seven countries from entering the United States.
On Jan. 27, Trump issued an executive order restricting access to the U.S. for 120 days immigrants from the countries of Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Libya and Yemen. Trump’s stated goal for the action was to better protect U.S. citizens from possible homeland terrorist actions.
The executive order has led to protests and questions of legality around the United States, and two Beachwood councilmen believed it was important that the city have its voice heard. Council President Martin Horwitz teamed with Councilman James Pasch to formulate an emergency resolution that was placed on Monday’s City Council agenda.
The local legislation’s language states that Beachwood Council is “strongly objecting” to Trump’s executive order and that the city is “joining with all Americans who believe that the executive order is unlawful and un-American.”
It further declares that Beachwood is a “Welcoming City” and calls upon residents to “join together to build a stronger, united community.”
Pasch received applause from those in the council chambers after reading a statement detailing why he believes the resolution was necessary.
“The executive order signed by the President preys on our worst fears,” Pasch read. “It scapegoats families fleeing war-torn countries, from religious and ethnic persecution, and it does so without any basis in fact. No one from the seven different nations named in the ban has committed an act of terror here in our country.
“We have already seen the effects of the ban in Beachwood through our families and friends with relatives that live, or are from Iraq, Iran Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Libya and Yemen. We know students, doctors, engineers and families who have been caught up in this ban.”
Pasch said the President’s action was taken in accordance with his slogan, “America First.”
“That phrase has been used to justify despicable acts in our history,” Pasch said. “Before World War II, our Congress denied a proposal to let in 20,000 Jewish children. Members of Congress said it was important to take, and I quote, ‘An America first approach.’ We turned away ships that had literally arrived on our shores and sent them back to Nazi Germany.”
He said that refugees who are in America have been vetted for 18 months to two years.
Pasch concluded by noting that Beachwood is a majority Jewish city and its council members are all Jewish.
“We have a moral obligation to extend our hand and say, ‘We are glad you are here. Welcome to America.’
The resolution passed by a 5-0 margin as Councilmen Justin Berns and Melvin Jacobs abstained from voting.
Berns said he neither agreed or disagreed with Trump’s executive order but, he added, “This isn’t something Beachwood City Council should be (venturing) into. I don’t know why we’re wading into this.”
Jacobs said he agreed with the resolution’s sentiments. But, he said, council received a copy of the resolution on Friday afternoon and was asked to pass it three days later. He said that the vote should be put off until the next meeting so all of council had more time to consider the resolution.
Berns and Jacobs both stated that with Trump in the White House there could be many things with which council members may feel compelled to disagree.
Pasch said that to have true impact, the resolution had to be passed immediately because things in today’s world take place so fast.
Horwitz, also in a written statement, said passing the resolution was important because of its relevance to residents.
“This (resolution) we are voting on tonight concerns an issue that is of direct importance to dozens of families in our community,” Horwitz said. “There are immigrants who have come to northeast Ohio to work and be trained in our major medical facilities, and who also come to work at our major banking and business institutions.
“Many of them choose Beachwood to make their home because of the outstanding reputation of our schools, the closeness of their work, and the support they receive from other members of their immigrant community who already live here.
“This ban will impact potential employees and students who were scheduled to come to the Cleveland area and would logically choose Beachwood as their temporary, and possibly permanent, residence.”
Speaking to immigrants, Horwitz finished by stating, “We want you to tell your families and countrymen that Beachwood stands as a welcoming city to all who want to come to northeast Ohio to work, study and make a better life for themselves.”
In other news from Monday’s council meeting:
— Council passed by a 6-1 vote legislation that will reduce the salary for the next mayoral term. The mayor elected in November of this year will receive a salary of $155,000 per year for 2018 and ’19, and $157,500 in 2020 and 2021.
The mayor of Beachwood also serves as the city’s safety director.
Currently, Mayor Merle Gorden receives $106,658 to serve as mayor, and $68,962 to perform his duties as safety director. Combined, the salary is $175,620.
Council spent the last year considering the reduction. A survey of the five mayors in northeast Ohio who earn the most was taken to determine the new Beachwood salary, which will become the area’s second-highest behind Middleburg Heights Mayor Gary Starr. Starr earned $161,894, plus benefits, in 2015.
Jacobs opposed the reduction in salary, believing the Beachwood mayor should remain the most highly paid.
“I think it should be frozen at this same amount,” he said of the $175,620 figure.
— Council decided to put off for two weeks a vote on whether it will spend $92,000 this year to support the city’s convention and visitors bureau.
The Beachwood CVB promotes the city’s businesses and, particularly, its hotels. The CVB received $150,000 from the city two years ago. It has since reduced its staff from one full-time and one part-time member, to one part-time person.
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