CLAUDINE LoMONACO

Cochise County may fine Miracle Valley Bible College up to $750 a day for housing Minuteman Project civilian patrol volunteers without a permit.

In a letter sent late last week, county officials told the college that it was violating a local code that prohibits providing guest lodging without a permit. The college has housed more than 75 Minutemen since the project began patrolling a small strip of Cochise County border for illegal immigrants April 1.

"I don't know why the government can tell me what to do on my property," college director Melvin Harter said.

County spokeswoman Karla Jensen said the college knew it would need a permit and "blatantly violated" county laws by housing the participants without one.

"They put us in a corner where we had no choice," Jensen said, adding that the county has had no other problems with the Minuteman Project so far.

Harter said he approached the county about a permit in early March but was told the process would take around 45 days. To get around the regulation, he suggested he hold a religious revival for the Minutemen.

County officials told Harter he would still have to apply for at least a temporary permit, good for up to seven days, if participants were to stay in the facility's dormitories.

Harter said he then decided not to apply at all.

"Let's say the Holy Spirit wants us to go on two weeks," Harter said. "I say our religious rights are being infringed upon."

Harter said he has housed up to 1,000 people since 1999, when he bought the facility, never requested a permit and had never had problems.

Minuteman organizer Chris Simcox suggested Harter contact the county after Cochise County Supervisor Paul Newman announced in late February that he was seeking all legal means to regulate the project.

At the time, Newman said he offered to expedite the approval process. By not applying, organizers were "flaunting the law," he said.

Minuteman organizer Jim Gilchrist said participants have not been asked to leave and will stay at the college.

A county hearing officer will review the violation and assess any fines in May.