Concerns about terrorism and the relocation of Syrian refugees came home to roost in Laurens County at last night’s county council meeting. Councilman Stuart Jones presented resolution 2015-31 for approval, which was called “A Resolution Declaring Laurens County Council’s Opposition To The Relocation Of Refugees From The United States Refugee Resettlement Program In Laurens County, And The Rejection Of State Funds To Assist In The Program.”
Councilman David Pitts second the resolution, and it passed 4 to 3 with Council members, Anderson, McDaniel, and Nash voting no.
During the public comment time, the Rev. Herb Codington of Bethany Presbyterian Church of Clinton voiced his displeasure with the vote. His daughter-in-law also objected, reading a lengthy Bible passage regarding refugees.
In comments, all the members that voted for the resolution expressed mixed emotions. While stating they hold to Christian beliefs, it was their job as elected government officials to respond to the overwhelming requests from their constituents to do their job in providing for their safety and to be sure that those coming in from another country were here legally and properly vetted.