“The time for trips to Washington, D.C., are over. If we want to have any meaningful discussion about the problem, they need to come here. It’s time those folks in Washington got serious.”

That’s what Sheriff Larry Dever had to say about a resolution the Cochise County Board of Supervisors passed Tuesday that again asks for federal help to secure the border with Mexico.

Supervisors approved unanimously a resolution meant to hold the attention of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and President Barack Obama.

“Cochise County should be a federal priority,” Supervisor Pat Call said. “So we’re joining with other counties and cities in a call for action. We need to add our voice to the conversation and try to keep it going.”

Call gave credit to county rancher Jack Ladd, who asked that the county turn up the heat.

Dever pondered aloud why was Napolitano helping in negotiations to protect the border between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, but could get nothing done on the Arizona/Mexico border.

Several area ranchers came to the meeting to offer their support for the resolution, including the widow of murdered rancher Robert Krentz. Authorities believe the shooting was done by an illegal immigrant. Susan Krentz thanked supervisors for passing the resolution, fought back tears and then said, “We have got to take a stand.”

Peggy Davis emphasized that it was not just the Hispanic illegal immigrant and drug trafficking that bothered her, but the unsecured border also allows terrorists to cross into the U.S. undetected. She related an incident that involved her daughter taking care of the animals while she and her husband were away. Her daughter encountered a pair of men who were not of Hispanic descent who asked her to give them a ride and also persisted in asking if they could come inside. The daughter refused and called law enforcement. Incidents like these that provoke fear are a part of daily life in rural areas.

Veterinarian Gary Thrasher agreed with Davis’ statement and added, “Our rural and remote areas are open to traffic more than they have ever been. We’re an open border for anyone who wants to do us harm. We are the soft underbelly of Homeland Security.”

Thrasher also emphasized the expense ranchers suffer as they deal with illegal border crossers who cut fences, leave water running and break into homes. The final insult is a decline in land values resulting as much from this illegal activity as from the economy, he said.

Dever also suggested wording be added to state the harm done to the environment at illegal immigrant base camps where water bottles, food containers, clothes and human excrement cover ravines, washes and mountainsides.

Supervisor Richard Searle said the county and state should keep hammering the message home to U.S. lawmakers.

Desert dweller Supervisor Ann English explained that illegal immigrants cross her land frequently, leaving her and other rural residents fearful of what may happen. Rural residents are vulnerable and now deal with a fear due to the death of Robert Krentz and the route change that has brought the flood of illegals back to the Sulphur Springs Valley. “Once we had people asking for water and sandwiches. That is not what we’re seeing now. ”

All three supervisors are concerned about costs and dangers. Wildland fires are frequently blamed on illegal immigrants. Roads beat up by Border Patrol vehicles demand attention; trash has to be cleaned up; deputies and local law enforcement who chase and arrest illegal immigrants have to be paid as well as costs for jail time and trials. Call also blames industry, such as agriculture, garment makers and meat processors who take advantage of the illegal immigrants.

This isn’t the first time the county stepped forward on this issue. In August 2005, Call, Searle and former Supervisor Paul Newman declared a state of emergency in the county. It did not have a sunset clause, so it is still active. Call said it was to try to get some money and help from the federal government, but “it didn’t work.”

Searle said as Arizona’s governor, Napolitano urged the counties to push the issue. He says he finds it ironic that now as Homeland Security chief, she has turned her back on Arizona.

The resolution

Whereas, the County of Cochise has seen a marked increase in trespass, human and narcotics trafficking, burglary, assault and murder, and:

Whereas the County of Cochise as well as the cities and emergency service organizations throughout the county provide public safety. fire and emergency medical services in the border affected areas and continue to risk injury �- responding to federal border problems, and:

Whereas, these county and local public service agencies continue to serve the border areas wherein radio and cell phone service is sporadic to nonexistent, and:

Whereas, many Cochise County ranchers are severely impacted by litter and human garbage left behind by illegal aliens, and;

Whereas, one of the county’s main industries is the ranching community and it is disproportionately affected by border problems and needs assurance of protection to continue their economic survival without fear, and:

Whereas, the health and safety of Cochise County residents should be regarded as a top priority for all federal agencies;

Now, therefore be it resolved that the Cochise County Board of Supervisors supports the efforts and the recommendations of constituent groups such as the Arizona Cattle Growers Association as well as the cities in our county and any other constituents organizations in their efforts to seek support from the United States Government in voicing border security concerns and the request for additional resources to secure Arizona’s border with Mexico and protect the citizens and public safety personnel from criminal activities.

OTHER BUSINESS

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, county supervisors:

• Said the county health department is joining with the University of Arizona to research the impact a community health advocate has on the target population �” young, expectant mothers. The study is being financed through a grant received by the university.

• Approved annual contracts with suppliers of roadwork materials.

• OK’d a contract amendment between Cochise Regional Partnership Council, Arizona early childhood development and the county health department that reduced the contract amount to $308,087.

• Approved a contract with Aramark Correctional Services to provide meals at the county jail and juvenile detention in the amount of $438,000.