Does it matter if a councilman doesn't speak English?

elchrist

Some of us in the past (or is it just me?) have pointed out that Luis Castro isn't fluent in English and there is some doubt as to how much he actually knows. Recently the IV Press gave their opinion that a Spanish-only speaking councilman is not a good idea for the City of Calexico.

Apparently a lot of voters in Calexico think it's fine that a politician doesn't speak English as he almost beat out David Ouzan during that last city council election back in 2004. If the people want him, then no problem, but should he have made the effort to get a good grasp of the English language before taking a dive into the political arena?

whitebread · Gots My GED Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 103

(cough) 2006 (cough)!!

alexirie · Cholo Nako Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 11

god....how more mexican can calexico get? people should know english if you are going to live in this country..especially if you want to run for a political seat. How will he communicate with white folks during city seminars and meetings???...gheto!!!!

Calexico will never change.

Soulman · Posted: 27 May 2008 08:42 PM Post subject:

I've heard arguments on both sides. I don't know the guy, but would we rather have someone who doesn't speak english but will serve the community well, or someone who speaks english well and doesn't deliver on his campaign promises? If that's the case than what good is it to speak english?

morrisonhotel · Posted: 27 May 2008 09:17 PM Post subject:

heck yeah it matters...we are living the freaking united states where the native language is english...i myself might not be 100% fluent but i feel that if i want to live in this country i need to speak it's native language.

whitebread · Gots My GED Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 103

chuco boy · Posted: 28 May 2008 07:16 AM Post subject: ESL

I know a lot of bright and capable people who have trouble communicating verbally in English but they excel in many professions.

Perhaps we should have a literacy test for all city personnel including elected officials. Then we can post the test scores for the public to review.

elchrist · Posted: 28 May 2008 10:41 AM Post subject:

elchrist · Posted: 28 May 2008 10:49 AM Post subject: Re: ESL

billybob · Cholo Nako Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 19

Mr. Castro is not the first nor the last of the my-face-on-a-billboard candidate, what solar system do you live in? What are his views on city issues, such as the hospital; the infrastucture; the economy; border crossing; public safety; the city budget; HUD; as mr mains says, parks for our kids; what we really know is that we don't know a freakn thing about what this cat knows. Have you ever heard him speak publically? NO. Have you heard him speak English? No. What is his political agenda? I haven't the faintest idea, do you? If he wins then he will have baffled us--the voters with BS, dazzled us with his quiet brilliance, and bewildered us with purpose, who's, I don't know. Later, I gotta go feed the cows.