Dear Santa Maria City Clerk, Mayor, and Council Members, My name is Fernando Martinez, I am with MICOP and a member of the 805 Immigrant Coalition. I am writing to express my concern regarding the treatment of community members who registered to provide public comment during the Santa Maria City Council meeting on Tuesday, October 21st, specifically on agenda item 15B concerning the Immigration Ad Hoc Committee. I personally helped register and submitted approximately 20 public comment slips to our City Clerk.
I understand that the Council decided to table the item until January or February 2026; however, I strongly believe that community members present at the meeting should have been allowed to share their comments. Many of them waited roughly two hours, only to be dismissed without the opportunity to speak.
Our community members take time out of their busy schedules to engage civically, and they deserve the opportunity to express their thoughts and concerns to their local elected officials. Public comment is a vital part of maintaining transparency, accountability, and trust between the Council and the community it serves.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I respectfully urge the Council to ensure that all registered community members are given the opportunity to have their voices heard in future meetings.
Sincerely,
--
Fernando Bautista Martinez
Community Organizing Manager
Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project
Office: (805) 623-5862
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: He, Him, His