Thread: Groups abandon laborer center plan

January 30, 2008


Groups abandon laborer center plan

Councilmen continue fight by talking with other organizations

RaNeeka J. Claxton
The Desert Sun

Two nonprofit organizations involved in talks last year to create a day laborers center in Cathedral City have opted out of the plans.

Now, Cathedral City Councilmen Chuck Vasquez and Greg Pettis are meeting with other groups to make the center a reality.

"By mid-February, they will say 'yes, it will happen,' or, 'no, it won't,'" Vasquez said.

The center is expected to help decrease the presence of workers lining up on sidewalks along Ramon Road to look for jobs both inside and outside of businesses.

Business owners between Cathedral Canyon Drive and Landau Boulevard say that since the center was first discussed a year ago, the gathering of day laborers there has worsened.

Last year, City Council decided the cash-strapped city couldn't take on building or staffing a laborers center - which would provide a place where employers could find employees, and workers could complete job applications for permanent employment, and receive food and clothing assistance, Vasquez said.

Vasquez and Pettis were selected in January 2007 to serve as a two-person subcommittee to explore center options. The duo expected to work with nonprofit groups including Bridges of Hope, Goodwill and the Salvation Army.

But officials at Bridges of Hope and Goodwill said Monday that their establishments are not involved with center plans.

"At this time, I don't think we will (be involved) because we don't have the additional volunteers, funding or personnel to put this together," said Betty Fernandez, executive director of Bridges of Hope.

The Salvation Army's Capt. Saul Doria, who is on vacation through February, was unavailable for comment. No other organization representative felt comfortable commenting on the idea of a center.

Pettis and Vasquez declined to name the nonprofit groups they're working closest with on the issue.

"We won't do so until it's ready to move forward and bring it before the public," Pettis said.

Still, businesses along Ramon Road want to see their concerns resolved.

"I think (the problem) has increased by about 10 more bodies (a day) from last year," said Rudy Gabuia, general manager of U-Haul on Ramon Road at Landau Boulevard. "They're scaring customers away. They're drinking (alcohol) out there. It's not good for the city, the customers or the businesses."

Pettis said he saw at least 20 to 25 people standing along Ramon Road on Monday looking for work.

After a series of meetings with nonprofit groups about funding and organizing the center over the past year, the idea remains at a standstilll, Pettis said.

The hold-up now is trying to find the best way to work within existing city building, planning, zoning and traffic codes, officials said.

"We're looking for a holistic approach and not a Band-Aid," Pettis said.

Vasquez said bringing a center into fruition is more important now than it ever has been in the city.

"We're trying to do street improvement along Ramon Road, and businesses are complaining this takes away from their business," Vasquez said.

The Aldie, Va.-based Day Labor Research Institute officials say the center won't work unless day laborers are involved in setting the rules.

"Unless you have buy-in by those folks, their general feeling is that they're being bossed around," said Stephen Nichols, partner for the institute. "You will not get cooperation.

Michael Kocis, owner of Michael Kocis Insurance Services on Ramon Road, just wants something to be done about the problem.

"Nothing is getting better, nobody's enforcing anything," Kocis said. "It's horrendous. I think (a laborer center) is a damn good idea."

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http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... 006/news01

"The center is expected to help decrease the presence of workers lining up on sidewalks along Ramon Road to look for jobs both inside and outside of businesses.'

You know what else does wonders to correct this problem. Police cruisers and ICE Vans who enforce existing law.

Building a center for these law breakers is comparable to building a step ladder outside your window in an effort to help the burgler gain entry into your home. Any elected official who attempts to establish a day laborer center in any community should be removed from office immediately.

Chuck Vasquez and Greg Pettis, that means you.

The Aldie, Va.-based Day Labor Research Institute officials say the center won't work unless day laborers are involved in setting the rules.


More demands from illegal alien freeloaders

The Aldie, Va.-based Day Labor Research Institute officials say the center won't work unless day laborers are involved in setting the rules.

"Unless you have buy-in by those folks, their general feeling is that they're being bossed around," said Stephen Nichols, partner for the institute. "You will not get cooperation.

Uh-oh, then this "labor" center will become a drink and lay around lounge? EVERYONE who works gets bossed around, deal with it!

Stop mollycoddling them and deport them now!

"The Aldie, Va.-based Day Labor Research Institute officials say the center won't work unless day laborers are involved in setting the rules. "

There is a "Day Labor Research Institute" now?

I need to stop and walk away from this story right now and take three deep breaths before I say something that will not perceived as very polite.....

[quote="NoBueno"]"The Aldie, Va.-based Day Labor Research Institute officials say the center won't work unless day laborers are involved in setting the rules. "

There is a "Day Labor Research Institute" now?

I need to stop and walk away from this story right now and take three deep breaths before I say something that will not perceived as very polite.....[/quot

They have a website http://daylaborinfo.org/default.aspx

the photo page is all warm and fuzzy

Thanks jimpasz. Another day ruined!

So would the City Council be thinking of these kind of "solutions" via illegal alien day laborer hiring halls if 100 or 50 0r 40 prostitutes started hanging out in that same corner in the morning, or at night? Would they still argue the same things...they're a nuisance, we can't do anything so we might as well help them by providing them a place to solicit for illegal employment? Prostitutes and those that hire them don't pay taxes on the earnings and the money is undeclared wages...why is that any different than when an illegal alien is soliciting for illegal employment? Afterall, at least an American prostitute has a right to stand on that corner, just not solicit for the employment. Illegal aliens dont' have a right to be in our nation, let alone on that particular road, street or corner hustling for illegal employment.