by Ronald H. Lawrence on 2014-02-12

Do you consider yourself educationally handicapped if you are not bilingual? If not, just ask Colton Councilman Frank Gonzales. During the 4th of February 2014 council meeting, the Mayor asked Councilman Gonzales to translate what he was saying in Spanish to a member of the audience. Part of his response was: “I can’t help it if some people are educationally handicapped”. Not only was this a slam against non-bilingual English speaking Americans, but that comment would also apply to non-bilingual speaking Hispanics. In my 71 years plus, I may have only obtained an Associate’s degree and attended specialized classes in New Hampshire, Mississippi, and Washington but I don’t consider myself “educationally handicapped” just because I am not bilingual. Also, the Mayor asking Councilman Gonzales to do his own translating is like asking the fox to guard the henhouse. If a member of the audience doesn’t understand English then he should have his own interpreter with him to translate. Let’s keep the council meetings in English only as it is in other American cities. If you don’t understand the American language of English, than have your own interpreter with you. [END] Ronald H. Lawrence P.O. Box 1114 Colton, Ca. 9234 (909) 825-7858 P.S. Give my congratulations to Margie Miller in her selection as Citizen of the Year by the Chamber.