Zim declares support for appointee

City Council Member Don Zimmerman made it extra clear Monday that he would not back down on Rebecca Forest, his appointment to the Commission on Immigrant Affairs. Council Member Greg Casar has asked that Zimmerman reconsider that appointment and added an item on this week’s Council agenda that proposes the appointment be rescinded. A news release from Zimmerman’s office notes that Forest’s statements at a Texas tea party rally were rated “true” by Politifact Texas. In that same statement, Zimmerman says, “I’ve known Rebecca Forest for more than a decade. She is a well-educated District 6 constituent who is qualified for the Immigrant Affairs Commission, ‘to maximize the benefits to local immigrants under existing laws.’ Ms. Forest, if serving as a member of the Immigrant Affairs Commission, would differentiate between ‘illegal immigration’ and ‘legal immigration,’ a distinction most District 6 and many Austin constituents support.” The news release continues, “CM Zimmerman notes that policies such as in-state college tuition and “sanctuary city” rules regarding illegal immigrants incentivizes more illegal border crossings and empowers criminal cartels which profit from human trafficking, which endangers human lives in the process.” In addition, Zimmerman’s appointment to the Parks and Recreation Board, Sharon Blythe, is signed up to speak about “City Issues” during this week’s Council meeting. Blythe has had conflict with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, and her appointment was postponed by Council.