Published: September 09, 2006 01:02 pm         

Immigration impact

League of Women Voters hosts Monday discussion

San Marcos — The impact of immigration on Hays County, particularly on public services such as school districts, health care and law enforcement, is the topic of a free panel discussion open to the public sponsored by the San Marcos Area league of Women Voters Monday night at 7 p.m. at the San Marcos Activity Center.

“The League is proud to sponsor this public discussion of such an important topic: how immigration is affecting public services,” said League president Dorothy Evans.

Speakers include Nick Icossipentarhos, director of Hays County Personal Health; who will address the impact of immigrants on public health care systems; Niki Konecki, coordinator of Bilingual and English As A Second Language programs at San Marcos CISD, who will present information on innovative programs available for immigrant children in San Marcos CISD; and Captain Bo Kidd of the Hays County Sheriff’s Department, who will focus on how immigration is affecting local law enforcement.

The Sept. 11 event will feature opening remarks by the speakers and then a question-and-answer session.

Nick Icossopentarhos, a naturalized citizen of the United States, is director of the Hays County Personal Health Department. Nick and his wife Rosemary were local business owners of Pentar Enterprises for 26 years, providing computer network, sales and service.

Icossipentarhis is a veteran of the U.S. Army, a nurse and past disability examiner of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission; he is a graduate of the Texas State University College of Health Administration.

His lengthy community involvement includes the Rotary Club of Greater San Marcos, the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, the San Marcos Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Hays County Criminal Justice Association.

Niki J. Konecki has been in public education and working with immigrant students and their families for 11 years. Before relocating to New Braunfels, Konecki served five years as a fourth grade bilingual teacher at Jacinto City Elementary in Galena Park ISD (East Houston) and five years as a District Bilingual/ESL Instructional Specialist for Galena Park ISD.

Kidd has been with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office since 1994. During his career with the sheriff’s office he has held assignments as a patrol deputy, field training officer, detective/narcotics investigator and patrol sergeant. He now holds the rank of captain.

During most of his career with Hays County, he has also been assigned to the Hays County SWAT Team in various capacities and is currently the commander of that unit.

Free and open to the public, the forum will also provide an opportunity for folks to join the San Marcos Area League of Voters, which presents annual panel discussions on important local events, Candidate’s Debates and Voter Guides and other presentations on civic issues.

For information, call 245-9645.

     

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