'Welcoming Michigan' again sparks tension on City Commission

Lynn Ward Gray is better known for taking time at meetings to promote upcoming community events than for indulging in commission discord.

But as some of her colleagues fired off criticism about Welcoming Michigan, an immigrant friendly program Battle Creek joined more than a year ago, the Ward 2 commissioner adjusted the papers in front of her and took a moment before responding.

Her frustration was clear.

"The fact that we have to sit here and answer questions about what we have learned — other services don't have to give a continual report on their expenses," Gray said. 

"Why this one? I'm offended."

Commissioners during their regular meeting Tuesday heard a formal report from Jacob Schacht, a part-time assistant in the city manager's office whose duties include Welcoming Michigan.

The initiative, which Battle Creek joined in April 2016 after a split vote among commissioners, helps participants work on policies and projects to be more inviting to foreign-born residents.

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Fifteen months later, commissioners voiced opposition to using tax money and called for regular spending reports. 

Gray took issue with their priorities.

"When we have senseless shootings — I was just over in my neighborhood on Redner — I want my fellow commissioners' help on that," she said. "Give me help on that. Economic development and new jobs. And we're sitting here talking about $3,200, or three hours a week, or whatever the percentage is in the very big scheme of things."

Schacht's report, requested by Commissioner Deb Owens, showed that the city has spent about $3,200 on the initiative so far. The figure is less than 1 percent of the city manager's office's budget and represents a portion of Schacht's pay; he spends about 15 percent of his time on Welcoming Michigan duties.

Battle Creek also spent $200 last year for a membership fee to join the program.

Schacht works 25 hours a week, the majority of his time spent on customer service, language access and anti-discrimination policies. He said a Welcoming Michigan membership provides expertise and a "one-stop shop" to improving conditions for Battle Creek's immigrant community.

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But several commissioners repeated their comments from a year ago, saying Battle Creek already was welcoming to immigrants. Commissioner Mike Sherzer said the program "probably provides little to no benefit to us."

"When it comes down to dollars, I'm not questioning that we need to work with every person in this community," he said. "The question becomes, why we do have to spend $200 to do it?"

Owens also said one of the program's planned projects, a weeklong event to celebrate and welcome immigrants, offered what the longtime International Summerfest already provided. 

Owens previously planned the festival.

"I'm a little disappointed if we're going to have a separate event when we have one already established that we want to build on," she said.

Gray said welcoming immigrants is more than "learning about these different cultures at a festival."

"A festival is not the same thing as dealing with the anxieties and the climate in our world and our country right now," she said. "And getting best practices and having someone you can call and talk to about these issues is critical."

City commissioners voted 6-3 last year to join Welcoming Michigan, with Sherzer, Owens and Mayor Dave Walters casting the dissenting votes. The program was considered at the request of Commissioner Kate Flores, who said Tuesday that joining the initiative affirmed the city "recognized the innate value and dignity of all members of our community."

The months-long discussion on whether to join drew large crowds. Some residents expressed their support for refugees and immigrants, while others spoke of fears over illegal immigration and terrorism. During some meetings, several comments were racially charged.

Schacht said in addition to planning its Welcoming Week event, officials also are forming a majority-immigrant subcommittee of the city's human relations board. He also is expected to attend a program conference in Ann Arbor in September.

You can watch a recording of the Tuesday meeting here.

Contact government reporter Jennifer Bowman at 269-966-0589 or jbowman@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow her on Twitter: @jenn_bowman