Valley Park Residents Try to Cut Off Money for Immigration Lawsuits

The public fracas over immigration issues is expected to ratchet up again at this evening's meeting of Valley Park's Board of Aldermen. Sources who belong to a newly formed group, Valley Park Citizens for Responsible Government, say the board will be asked to pass a resolution halting the use of government funds for litigation related to the Valley Park ordinances targeting illegal immigration.

Alderman Don Carroll is expected to introduce the resolution -- which was written by a Valley Park citizen (as opposed to the city attorney) and hand-delivered to the aldermen via courier last week.

The resolution says public funds would be better spent on tax breaks and that the immigration ordinances are a "financial burden and distraction."

The group, which numbers more than a dozen and represents all four of Valley Park's wards, formed almost two months ago but has kept its existence and the details of its meetings private. Members believe, however, that they have support for their resolution from five of eight aldermen. "And if we don't get action tonight, we're going to start upping the pressure," says one citizen.

I'll post an update tomorrow.

-Kristen Hinman