KXO RADIO - Ad-Hoc Committee Will Ask Supervisors to Support Resolution

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Todays is : Thursday, 08 January 2009

Written by George Gale
Thursday, 28 September 2006
(THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL BE ASKED TO SUPPORT A RESOLUTION TO HELP BORDER CROSSERS)…DISTRICT ONE SUPERVISOR VICTOR CARRILLO, WHO SPEARHEADED AN AD-HOC COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE AND ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE LONG LINE ISSUE FOR BORDER CROSSERS. CARRILLO SAID THURSDAY HE WILL SEEK APPROVAL FROM HIS FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS OF A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE COMMITTEES REQUEST FOR INCREASED STAFFING, INCREASED FUNDING AND OTHER APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO FACILITATE THE REDUCTION IN THE WAIT TIMES TO CROSS THE BORDER FROM MEXICALI. CARRILLO SAID THE INCREASED LINES HURT THE COUNTY ECONOMY, BOTHE COMMERCIAL AND AGRICULTURAL, AND ARE VERY DETRIMENTAL TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF BORDER CROSSERS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE LINGERING TRIPLE DIGIT TEMPRETURES. SINCE MEETING THIS WEEK WITH CALEXICO PORT OFFICIALS, THE WAITS HAVE ONLY GOTTEN WORSE. THE SENTRI LANE THURSDAY MORNING WAS REPORTING A 45-MINUTE WAIT. THE SENTRI LANE WAS DESIGNED TO ALLOW FOR QUICK CROSSINGS, WITH USERS PAYING AT LEAST $129 AND UNDER GOING SPECIAL BACKGROUND CHECKS. THEY ARE ISSUED SPECIAL CARDS FOR QUICK SCANNING AND CROSSING. CARRILLO SAID NOW BORDER AGENTS ARE INSPECTING THE SENTRI LANE USERS THE SAME AS REGULAR BORDER CROSSERS. CARRILLO AND THE AD-HOC COMMITTEE PLAN TO TAKE THE COUNTY RESOLUTION AND POSSIBLY OTHERS FROM CITIES AROUND THE COUNTY, TO WASHINGTON D.C. TO LOBBY FOR CHANGES AT THE CALEXICO PORTS OF ENTRY.