Thread: Gaithersburg, MD Leggett Works to Resolve Day-Labor Dispute

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0107/386184.html

Leggett Works to Resolve Day-Labor Dispute
Gaithersburg, MD - Sunday January 07, 2007 3:34 pm

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett is trying to resolve a stand-off between the county and the city of Gaithersburg.

The year-long debate over where to put a county-funded employment center for day laborers turned bitter in recent months after Gaithersburg officials couldn't find an acceptable site.

But Leggett has been tackling the issue since his second day in office and has directed a senior aide to resolve the dispute.

They're hopeful a temporary site can be selected just outside Gaithersburg as soon as this week.

Leggett's special assistant Chuck Short says the county will likely create the center using temporary trailers on county land just over the Gaithersburg city border.

Residents and businesses have objected to sites within the city limits. But Gaithersburg city manager David Humpton says he's encouraged by Leggett's willingness to consider county property.

http://www.examiner.com/a-502584~Soon_t ... =Cleveland

Soon-to-be-announced day-labor center in Montgomery County drawing complaints

Dena Levitz, The Examiner
Read more by Dena Levitz
Jan 11, 2007

Gaithersburg - With Montgomery County officials mere days from picking the site for a Gaithersburg day-labor center, some community activists are saying the much-hyped project is inadequately justified.

Susan Payne of the group Citizens Above Party represents the side not often talked about in the debate over the immigrant-centered labor sites — those who oppose a taxpayer-funded program that she says promotes illegal immigration.

There’s a lack of data even to support the need for a day-labor center in the Gaithersburg area, she said, and the public is being left behind in the decision-making.

“They’re aiding and abetting illegal activity,” she said.

But Chuck Short, special assistant to Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, sees the situation differently.

Short, who either this week or next will pick the final site, said there are numerous rationales for a new labor center, which would make three in the county.

First is the practical.

“Most people who have driven in Langley Park and Gaithersburg would tell you there are an increased number of temporary workers,” he said. “Two years ago there were hardly any, but now they’re clearly visible.”

Second, Short noted, is a report generated by a Gaithersburg task force over the last year pointing to the need for another center. And then there’s the necessity of temporary workers for Montgomery County’s economy.

“A day-labor center helps to bring efficiency and protection to those low-wage workers,” he said.

In terms of day laborers’ legal status, Short said immigrants won’t be checked. But a large number of workers who use day-labor centers are in a situation where they can become legal citizens, and the centers will help them do this.

Short was instrumental in opening Montgomery County’s first day-labor center in Silver Spring a decade ago. Then, he said, most people’s concerns centered on public safety issues related to day laborers gathering each morning.

“This time around, the anger and frustration is around the topic of illegal immigrants,” he said. “It’s much more in the forefront.”

dlevitz@dcexaminer.com