Thread: FL: Jobbed by outsiders

Jobbed by outsiders
Review hiring practices for government-funded projects

Published: Friday, November 14, 2008 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 5:40 p.m.

Sarasota's Newtown has its problems, including poverty, a string of recent murders, and an educational achievement gap. But it is also a community where people look out for each other and speak up when things aren't right.

Newtown residents did just that recently, leading to the firing of a subcontractor on a federal redevelopment project. The subcontractor, participating in the overhaul of the Janie Poe public housing complex, reportedly hired undocumented aliens instead of local crews.

The overall developer of the Poe project had pledged to include local hires -- construction workers who need those paychecks as the building industry endures a frightening downturn. However, Newtown residents watching the site quickly realized that the jobs went almost entirely to strangers from somewhere else.

Tipped off to the presence of illegals, the public housing director obtained a copy of the payroll and asked police to investigate. They found many erroneous and mismatched Social Security numbers, leading to the subcontractor's firing.

The investigation, by Sarasota detectives cooperating with Homeland Security, continues. Federal law bars employers from knowingly hiring illegal immigrants. Also, misuse of Social Security numbers can constitute the crime of identity theft.

The good news is that the subcontractor has been replaced by local companies, and Sarasota residents will now get some of the jobs. Carpentry training also is scheduled for some Newtown residents, according to Bill Russell, executive director of the Sarasota housing authority.

In the construction industry, the hiring of illegals probably is more common than companies would admit. But the Poe episode offers a sharp reminder that the practice can hurt local labor -- especially in the midst of a recession. Legally qualified workers here deserve a chance to compete for jobs on a level playing field.

The episode is a strike against the developer, Michaels Development Co., and contractor Clark Construction. Michaels has redeveloped many public housing projects nationally, and therefore should understand federal rules. Though it apparently has met its minority hiring requirement, its credibility in Newtown -- where the developers held a publicity-stunt "job fair" in the blazing heat of August -- is badly damaged.

The case also jeopardizes public trust, as federal, state and local taxes are funding much of the redevelopment work. Stronger contract accountability and enforcement of employment laws are needed.

The Janie Poe endeavor is one of several large, government-sponsored construction projects getting under way in Sarasota County. In all of them, qualified, price-competitive workers -- living in the county -- deserve more hiring emphasis.

A centralized list of available people and companies could assist that goal. The housing authority is now in the process of assembling a database, which could be useful for referrals to other projects.

The hiring fiasco is one example of what can go wrong in the redevelopment of public housing. It is imperative that the rest of the project goes right.

www.heraldtribune.com

No mention of the subcontractor being charged, he was just fired is all?