By Doug Carman, Staff Writer
HIGHTSTOWN The Republican Borough Council candidates are looking into reversing the borough’s “no-questions-asked” policy toward suspected illegal immigrants, according to a press release from Councilwoman Skye Gilmartin.
Ms. Gilmartin, seeking to hold her seat for her first full term, and John Archer, who’s looking to join the Hightstown Borough Council for the first time, said in the press release that they are “endeavoring to move Hightstown forward with a platform that focuses on improved public image, economic viability and public safety.”
Both candidates would like to form an exploratory committee to assess the public opinion on the borough’s policy stating that borough employees cannot question someone’s immigration status.
”Unfortunately, the designation of being a ‘Sanctuary City’ has negatively impacted both real estate values and business potential,” Ms. Gilmartin said in the release. “John and I believe that while cultural diversity is one of Hightstown unique assets, respect for the law, code enforcement, and all aspects of public safety are necessary to enable Hightstown to reach a greater potential of both economic and community stability.”
”As a longtime public safety officer, I feel that this issue is of paramount importance, not only for code enforcement, but also for many other legal issues (that) affect Hightstown’s well-being,” said Mr. Archer, who is a former chief of Hightstown Engine Company No. 1. “We feel that the time has come to address this volatile issue. By changing the public perception, putting forth a more positive public image, we hope Hightstown will attract new businesses and residents.”
A call to Ms. Gilmartin was not immediately returned Thursday.
Hightstown gained attention as a “Sanctuary City” beginning in 2005. Then-mayor Bob Patten, a Republican, urged the council to pass a resolution in 2005 that demanded Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers identify themselves as such to avoid confusion with the local police. The resolution passed that year.
Over the next two years, however, the borough garnered national attention for its stance, with some outlets labeling Hightstown as a “Sanctuary City.” Despite the label, Mr. Patten defended the borough’s policy in a media blitz in 2007 that included interviews with National Public Radio and Fox News.
Mr. Patten could not be immediately reached for comment. However, his wife, Kathy, speaking on Mr. Patten’s behalf in an e-mail to the Herald, disputed the “Sanctuary City” label made in Ms. Gilmartin’s release.
”(The) Hightstown Borough Council never designated the town as a ‘Sanctuary City,’ nor did they ever instruct the police or borough staff to not enforce the codes,” Ms. Patten said.
She said the resolution was drafted in response to several arrests made in 2004 by ICE officers in Hightstown.
”The police became concerned over the lack of trust that developed between them and the residents who were not reporting crimes or coming forward as victims of crimes,” Ms. Patten said.
As to the Republicans’ statements, she said, “I totally agree that respect for the law is an important attribute of a town wishing to achieve economic and community stability.
”I also think we should be celebrating our immigrant community and their continuing contributions,” Ms. Patten said. “Just look at our Main Street businesses. Without the immigrant-owned businesses, Main Street would be almost empty.”
The two Democratic candidates running for the council, Robert Thibault and Susan Bluth, both assailed the release, but from opposite sides of the issue.
”I’m flattered that they’re taking one of my platforms from when I was running for mayor,” said Mr. Thibault, who ran as a Republican last year but lost to Democrat Steve Kirson. Mr. Thibault stated that he still wanted to repeal the borough’s policy.
”What that (policy) did was create an influx of illegal aliens into the borough, and that has contributed to the code violations related to illegal boarding houses and overcrowding and the illegal taxi services,” Mr. Thibault said.
Ms. Bluth, on the other hand, defended the six-year-old policy and accused Ms. Gilmartin and Mr. Archer of “claiming that the illegal immigrants in Hightstown are responsible for our allegedly poor public image and lower real estate values” without any evidence to that effect.
”I feel that with the ‘don’t ask’ policy, the illegal immigrants actually assist with public safety,” Ms. Bluth said in a written response to Ms. Gilmartin’s release. “Without the assurance that they won’t be subjected to an investigation and possible deportation, many immigrants who witness a crime, or who are the victims of a crime, or who have critical information relative to a crime, wouldn’t come forward.”
The four candidates are unopposed for their parties’ nominations in the June primaries. They are competing for two seats that will open in November. Councilwoman Isabel McGinty’s term ends this year but she is not seeking re-election. A special election also will be held in November for former Councilman Dimitri Musing’s vacant seat.

