Twisp Proclamation Passes with No Nays, But Unity Remains Elusive

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Twisp Town Council ended debate over immigration policy in the town of Twisp on Tuesday by passing a proclamation affirming constitutional rights for all persons, whether they are citizens or not.

The proclamation does not carry legal weight but brought heightened scrutiny because of its implied stance on illegal immigration, a topic that exposed division within the community.

Twisp Mayor Hans Smith orchestrated a compromise by downgrading the resolution to a proclamation, which supporters of the original resolution said lacked “teeth.” Those that opposed both the resolution and proclamation and wanted a return to the status quo have to contend with the town affirming a political stance they disagree with.

Several people objected to the use of the term “citizens of Twisp” in the document as requestors of the proclamation because it could be interpreted as all citizens of Twisp.

“No one asked me what I want. No one asked me if I want the proclamation,” Doug Irvine, who resides in Twisp, told councilmembers.

Councilmember Wyatt Lundquist asked that councilmembers remove “citizens” from the proclamation and replace it with the statement, “Twisp elected officials were asked to adopt a statement proclaiming…” That motion did not pass.

Councilmember Katrina Auburn said she supported rescinding the resolution but would abstain from voting on the proclamation. She asked that the council take two votes- one for rescinding the resolution and the second on the proclamation, instead of combining both into one vote. That suggestion did not receive enough support from the council.

Most of the public comments at Tuesday’s meeting were for rescinding the resolution and against replacing it with a proclamation, in essence returning to the status quo, but with three councilmembers on record supporting the intent of the resolution, the die was cast. The proclamation passed 4-0-1, including a yea from Lundquist, who expressed disappointment that the council voted against amending the phrase “citizens of Twisp.”

In a statement prior to the vote, Auburn explained why she would abstain.

“This seemed in the beginning, a very politically charged resolution, wanting to be adopted, and it was. Though I can see the hearts of people who have good intentions, I think that there’s been a lot of time spent that could be spent on town business that has been detoured and for me and for the people who showed up, who don’t feel that the proclamation is necessary for councilmembers, I will abstain this evening.”

Smith said he wanted to get as many votes as possible for the proclamation and he succeeded with having no nay votes.