Posted by
Andrew Roman on Friday, January 23, 2009 4:54:45 PM
The city of Nashville, Tennessee has decided that it will not become an English-only city. Yesterday, voters there gave a thumbs-down to a proposal - called "English First" - that proponents say would have not only united the city but saved money. It would have mandated that the government there conduct its daily affairs in English.
Opponents say becoming an English-only city could have given Nashville a "bad reputation."
From the
Associated Press via Fox News:
Business leaders, academics, religious leaders, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and Gov. Phil Bredesen argued the measure would tarnish the city's welcoming image, harm tourism and business recruitment and endanger federal funding for many city services.
...
Supporter Glenda Paul, 35, said having one language is an important part of keeping government small as she exited a voting precinct Thursday.
"If I moved to France to start a business, I would be expected to speak French and that doesn't mean that I am not welcome there. It just means I need to respect the language."
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Andrew Roman
Brooklyn, NY