Smyrna mayor 'flagged' at meeting

 Published: 03/04/2009

By Ashley Hungerford
ahungerford@mdjonline.com

SMYRNA - A bewildered Smyrna Mayor Max Bacon was presented with a small Mexican flag at the end of Monday night's City Council meeting.

Smyrna resident Mary Kirkendoll presented the flag to Bacon, which he refused, during the public comment section of the meeting.

Kirkendoll believes Bacon and the city are too lenient when dealing with illegal immigrants.

"Illegals find safety and sanctuary in this part of Cobb County ," she said.

Her three minute speech was about patriotism.

Kirkendoll applauded Cobb County government and the Cobb sheriff, who work with Immigration and Custom Enforcement officers to start deportation proceedings on illegal immigrants at the county jail.

"On the other hand, Smyrna releases them back on to the streets," she said.

Kirkendoll said illegal immigrants are responsible for many of the crimes reported throughout the county, including the most recent attacks on the Silver Comet Trail.

On Feb. 23, two men in their early 20s were attacked by five males on the Silver Comet Trail in Powder Springs.

Powder Springs police arrested Carlos Bracamonte, 18, on Thursday, and charged him with simple battery, a misdemeanor. He is being held at the Cobb County Jail with a $5,000 bond. ICE placed a hold on Bracamonte, meaning after he faces his charges in Cobb, he will be turned over to ICE agents to determine if he's in the country illegally.

The other four suspects involved in the attacks are described as black males.

Kirkendoll, who has been an outspoken critic of the way the city handles illegal immigrants, also claims the city of Smyrna often ignores federal and state immigration laws, including checking the immigration status of people who do work for the city.

"I don't know what defines corruption more than ignoring the laws," Kirkendoll said.

As she approached the mayor desk Monday night, unfurling the small flag, she asked him to decide which flag - American or Mexican - he wanted to fly above City Hall.

Bacon was clearly angered by Kirkendoll's speech and the use of the Mexican flag.

"I don't want to take anything from you," Bacon told Kirkendoll.

The flag was left sitting on Bacon's desk at the end of the meeting.

 

Link:  http://www.mdjonline.com/content/index/showcontentitem/area/1/section/15/item/129003.html#