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Illinois man married to a Filipina complains of bias by neighbors

By yankee in Philippines

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yankee Collaborator

yankee   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
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Hello VJs from Illinois, have you guys heard about this news?

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/115255/Illinoi...as-by-neighbors

PALATINE, Illinois – A retired county employee feels that his marriage to a Filipina employee is getting to be a liability as he is trying to raise a family.

Richard Holmes of 476 Geri Court of Palatine, Illinois said that his neighbor appears to be getting the breaks in his dispute for a small patch of land owned by the Village of Palatine.

“I feel I am being discriminated against by my neighbor and some officials of Palatine village because I happened to be married to a minority woman," Holmes told this reporter.

It all started when Holmes complained to his neighbor, Greg Sobkowiak, against filling dirt to a “path eight-inch down and eight-inch wide by six-foot long" after he earlier dug and “filled it with pea gravel."

But it turned out that the small piece of land in dispute is owned by the Village of Palatine.

When Elias Koutas, Palatine’s assistant public works director of the Department of Public Works, stepped in the dispute, Koutas asked Holmes to “re-plant grass in the right-of-way."

But Holmes is hesitating to do so because it could confirm Palatine police allegation that he (Holmes) “readily admitted he sprayed the grass with a grass killing liquid."

Holmes, however, has misgivings for following Koutas’ advice to plant grass because at one time, his Filipino wife, Violeta (nee: Bolodo) and his stepson, Louie Salisid, saw Sobkowiak digging up the disputed area.

The previous exchange between Holmes and Sobkowiak has turned personal when Holmes investigated Sobkowiak’s claim that he (Sobkowiak) is a licensed land surveyor. Sobkowiak’s claim, however, did not check out.

In his effort to convince Holmes that he could draw the dividing line between their properties, Sobkowiak told Holmes that he is a licensed land surveyor. This prompted Holmes to inquire from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) if Sobkowiak is a licensed surveyor. Jody Watson, executive assistant of IDFPR, wrote Holmes that “we have no record of (a) Greg Sokowiak holding a license as a land surveyor in the State of Illinois."

Holmes said even Palatine Councilman Scott Lamerand, Palatine Village Manager Reid Ottesen and Palatine Mayor Rita L. Mullins would not join his corner on the matter.

He feels that he could not get a fair hearing from these officials because he is married to a Filipina. “What they don’t know is that me and my wife, Violy, are both registered voters and we could certainly be voting for the rival of Mayor Mullins in the coming election," Holmes explained.

Holmes said his only option now is to take the matter to court. Reached for comment, a spokesperson of Mayor Cullins said she was aware of the case but she did not make any further comment.

02-16-06- met online

07-20-07- first visit to phils

07-26-07-engagement

07-28-07- back to US

09-14-07- submitted I-129F

09-25-07- NOA1

10-25-07 -NOA2

11-01-07- My fiance got a letter from NVC that within 2 weeks Manila Consulate will send my Packet

11-20-07- Date of my Packet, actually the real one was earlier but it was sent somewhere, good thing my Fiance arrived to spent Thanksgiving day in Phils and we checked the status in Embassy.

11-23-07- Medical though the exact date was Nov. 29..

12-06-07- Interview

12-16-07- Visa in hand

01-16-98- Attended CFO

01-18-08- Arrived in USA , POE-Guam

03-16-08- Wedding

AOS

04-17-08- Submitted the AOS

04-24-08- NOA

05-13-08- Biometrics

05-27-08- Transferred to California

06-14-08- EAD card received

07-21-08- Date of AOS approval but got the letter July 24

No Interview, No RFE and Additional Vaccination( just used the SLEC medical docs)

07-22-08- Date of Permanent REsident CARd , got it July 29

07-31-08- apply for SSN

08-05-08-SSN delivery

01-12-09- First day of work(Thanks to Marielle and Mario)

bct Enthusiast

bct   0

Posted
Filed: Other Timeline
Posted

JUST WANNA RAISE MY EYEBROWS. :) I FEEL BAD HEARING NEWS ABOUT DISCRIMINATION TO FILIPINOS. (LOTS OF INSECURED PEOPLE LOOKING DOWN AT PINOYS)....

AND PLEASE!!!! IT'S NOT A LIABILITY TO BE MARRIED TO A FILIPINA- IN FACT IT'S MORE OF A PLUS THAN A LIABILITY... PWEDE BA!!! HOPE THAT GUY

WILL STOP THINKING THAT HIS HAVING A PROB NOW BECAUSE HE'S MARRIED TO A FLIPINA.. ANG LAYO!!!HOPE HE ALSO KNOWS HOW TO FIGHT AGAINST DISCRIMINATION TO HIS WIFE...

LET'S REMAIN HUMBLE YET PROUD OF OUR BEING A FILIPINO!

PlatyPius Experienced

PlatyPius   5

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted
i'm not really seeing the bias in the story.

Me either. I'm seeing "zOMG! I'm so persecuted because my wife is from the Philippines!!!" but I'm not seeing any evidence of it at all. It's a simple property dispute. One person has to be right and the other wrong. Who he is married to has nothing to do with it. What he's going to do now, is GIVE some people a reason to hate Filipinas. Good job, moron.

Lady, people aren't chocolates. Do you know what they are mostly? Bastards. ####### coated bastards with ####### filling. But I don't find them half as annoying as I find naive bobble-headed optimists who walk around vomiting sunshine.
Skeeter211 Collaborator

Skeeter211   2

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

I have to agree that the story seems to say this guy is claiming he is being discriminated against because of his interracial marriage, but nothing (in the news article at least) suggests that in the least. It bothers me when people of any race throw out the "race card" thinking that it will help them make their case. Assuming there was more hard evidence of racism than what appears in the article, then I feel bad for the guy and I don't condone any kind of racism. However, based on the article alone, this guy is trying to use race in a situation where it has no bearing. To me, that is just as bad.

Just my opinion....

Scott

Removing Conditions on Wife's GC

08/14/09-Mailed Packet to CSC

08/24/09-Packet Received at CSC

08/24/09-Check Cashed

09/16/09-NOA 1 Received (My Error)

09/16/09-Biometrics

10/20/09-Interview PASSED!!!!

10/28/09-Approval Notice Received via US Mail

AOS for Daughter's K-2

07/14/09 - Mailed AOS Packet to Chicago

07/16/09 - Received AOS Packet in Chicago

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08/10/09 - Biometrics ---DONE!!!---

09/16/09 - Interview Date AOS Held Pending Outcome of Wife's I-751

10/20/09 - Mir Passes ROC Interview

10/23/09 - Email received-Card Production Ordered!Woohooo!!!

redearth Apprentice

redearth   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

My hubby is from Illinois (southern part) and I don't think he will ever feel that way. He's just so proud of having me as his wife ;) .

08-2007: FILED I-130

10-15-07: NOA1

03-10-08: NOA2 - APPROVED

03-31-08: DS-3032 / AOS FEE BILL GENERATED

04-02-08: DS-3032 EMAILED

04-07-08: AOS FEE BILL REC'D

04-08-08: AOS FEE SENT

04-08-08: DS-3032 EMAIL RETURNED

04-08-08: DS-3032 EMAIL RE-SENT

04-15-08: DS-3032 ACCEPTED

04-21-08: IV BILL GENERATED

04-26-08: AOS PACKAGE REC'D

04-28-08: IV BILL REC'D

04-28-08: IV BILL SENT

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05-27-08: DS-230 PACKET REC'D

05-28-08: DS-230 PACKET SENT

05-30-08: DS-230 ENTERED INTO SYSTEM

06-13-08: CASE COMPLETED

08-22-08: INTERVIEW (PINK & WHITE SLIP - ADD'L DOC)

09-20-08: VISA RECEIVED (THANK GOD!!!)

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11-17-08: GREEN CARD RECEIVED

honey_me Enthusiast

honey_me   7

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted
i'm not really seeing the bias in the story.

Me either. I'm seeing "zOMG! I'm so persecuted because my wife is from the Philippines!!!" but I'm not seeing any evidence of it at all. It's a simple property dispute. One person has to be right and the other wrong. Who he is married to has nothing to do with it. What he's going to do now, is GIVE some people a reason to hate Filipinas. Good job, moron.

:thumbs::thumbs:

Completely Proficient

Completely   3

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Nepal
 Timeline
Posted
i'm not really seeing the bias in the story.

Me either. I'm seeing "zOMG! I'm so persecuted because my wife is from the Philippines!!!" but I'm not seeing any evidence of it at all. It's a simple property dispute. One person has to be right and the other wrong. Who he is married to has nothing to do with it. What he's going to do now, is GIVE some people a reason to hate Filipinas. Good job, moron.

:thumbs::thumbs:

We are always be discriminated wherever we go, and we are prepared for this.. Some are not.. But time will come all this things made us Filipinos to be stronger than ever..

jamesfiretrucksg2.th.jpgthpix.gif
Ban Hammer Grand Master

Ban Hammer   13,590

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Brazil
 Timeline
Posted
We are always be discriminated wherever we go,

i don't really believe that.

Come to Middle East and you will see..

American or Arabs people call uss Third Country National..

Come to Germany and United Kingdom and you will know.

have you always felt victimized?

i've personally not seen anyone from pi discriminated against in the usa. and yes, i know about a dozen of them and their spouses.

* ~ * Charles * ~ *
 

I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy.

 

USE THE REPORT BUTTON INSTEAD OF MESSAGING A MODERATOR!

PlatyPius Experienced

PlatyPius   5

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted
i'm not really seeing the bias in the story.

Me either. I'm seeing "zOMG! I'm so persecuted because my wife is from the Philippines!!!" but I'm not seeing any evidence of it at all. It's a simple property dispute. One person has to be right and the other wrong. Who he is married to has nothing to do with it. What he's going to do now, is GIVE some people a reason to hate Filipinas. Good job, moron.

:thumbs::thumbs:

We are always be discriminated wherever we go, and we are prepared for this.. Some are not.. But time will come all this things made us Filipinos to be stronger than ever..

Here we go.... "Oh Woe! Everyone hates me! Everyone dicriminates against me!"

Sorry - like Charles, I've never seen it here in Indiana; and I lived with a Filipino for 5 or 6 years.

Lady, people aren't chocolates. Do you know what they are mostly? Bastards. ####### coated bastards with ####### filling. But I don't find them half as annoying as I find naive bobble-headed optimists who walk around vomiting sunshine.
Completely Proficient

Completely   3

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Nepal
 Timeline
Posted
We are always be discriminated wherever we go,

i don't really believe that.

Come to Middle East and you will see..

American or Arabs people call uss Third Country National..

Come to Germany and United Kingdom and you will know.

have you always felt victimized?

i've personally not seen anyone from pi discriminated against in the usa. and yes, i know about a dozen of them and their spouses.

In the USA,, it is very seldom.. But currently we are overseas.. I did experience a lot of discrimination at work with regards to pay and treatment..

As what I've told you a while ago.. they call us Third Country National instead of calling us by origins..

Not by personal experience but from other people experiences.. Filipina's were treated very bad here.. After they get what they want, they leave them like a trash... Filipinas here has a bad reputation of being prostitute as they easily gave in themselves personally for money..THis is based from my co-worker (white and black american) who talked about Filipinas everyday.. As you or we can not blame other Filipinas to accept something as they work only equivalent to 8 thousand per month here (mostly nannies) and people working in the restaurant just earn only 400$ a month.. so they do things like this..

I do manage very well wherever I go.. I stand up and speak for myself.. Before I got married i prepared myself to be strong..

jamesfiretrucksg2.th.jpgthpix.gif
Completely Proficient

Completely   3

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Nepal
 Timeline
Posted
i'm not really seeing the bias in the story.

Me either. I'm seeing "zOMG! I'm so persecuted because my wife is from the Philippines!!!" but I'm not seeing any evidence of it at all. It's a simple property dispute. One person has to be right and the other wrong. Who he is married to has nothing to do with it. What he's going to do now, is GIVE some people a reason to hate Filipinas. Good job, moron.

:thumbs::thumbs:

We are always be discriminated wherever we go, and we are prepared for this.. Some are not.. But time will come all this things made us Filipinos to be stronger than ever..

Here we go.... "Oh Woe! Everyone hates me! Everyone dicriminates against me!"

Sorry - like Charles, I've never seen it here in Indiana; and I lived with a Filipino for 5 or 6 years.

There is always discrimination wherever you go.. it is just a matter of how you will take it,

I never got discriminated when I was in the STATES.. I was talking about OUTSIDE the UNITED STATES..

jamesfiretrucksg2.th.jpgthpix.gif
 
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