http://www.altoonamirror.com/News/artic ... cleID=4203

Wednesday, August 23, 2006 — Time: 2:47:22 AM EST

Residents back Altoona's proposed illegal alien bill

By William Kibler, bkibler@altoonamirror.com

Claudio Castrechini sat on his porch steps near Great Commission School Tuesday and pondered an ordinance proposed by Altoona City Council to make life here difficult for illegal aliens.

A ship brought him here from Italy in 1970 as a 5-year-old, a member of one of the last big immigrant boatloads before quotas put up the equivalent of a “No Vacancy” sign on our shores.

Castrechini, 41, owner of City Limits bar and rental properties, agrees “100 percent” with the council’s proposal.

“If someone is caught and they’re not legalized, they should be deported,” said Castrechini, a legal alien.

The proposed ordinance, which emulates one recently passed by Hazleton, would penalize employers who hire and landlords who house illegals.

The ordinance also would make English the official language of city government.

The council would seem to be safe with voters in proposing the ordinance, given the response of city residents in a mini-survey Tuesday — all of whom approve of the proposal, although some with misgivings.

Gary Rhone of Hudson Avenue is one of those with misgivings.

He has no problem with employer penalties for hiring illegals, given the necessity of filing out citizenship information when applying for jobs.

But he’s less certain about penalizing landlords, given that a place to live seems to be a fundamental right — even as he concedes it may be inconsistent to claim someone has a right to live but not work here.

He doesn’t think the language requirement is necessary, given that we’re all descendants of immigrants, most of whom spoke a native language for the rest of their lives.

Rhone appreciates the council’s attempt to spare residents the problems that have plagued other areas, but it’s really the federal government’s responsibility, he said.

Likewise, he appreciates the city’s fatigue with outsiders causing havoc.

But Rhone is uncomfortable with the implication that the city has become “unwelcoming.”

He wonders whether people coming from other countries illegally have the commitment to work for our nation’s good.

“Still, they need to be treated as human beings,” he said.

Keri Harrington of Logan Avenue is less conflicted.

“Sounds like I would be in favor,” she said.

She began to see illegal immigration as a problem after a triple murder in the city last year, allegedly committed by an illegal alien.

Janet Dinicola of Logan Avenue is even more absolute.

“I approve 100 percent,” she said at her front door.

She has problems not only with the illegals, but also the employers who hire them for a pittance, she said.

If foreigners want to live here and get benefits, they should go through channels, she said.

Kimberly Hamer of Seventh Avenue also supports the ordinance.

She’s an immigrant of sorts, having moved from Philadelphia three months ago to escape the hazards of frequent gunplay.

Native citizens should have the first opportunity for jobs, she said.

Still, she hasn’t seen evidence of many illegals here, even as she has struggled to find work as a paralegal.

Pam Dukeman of 28th Avenue in Fairview also supports the ordinance but with misgivings.

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea,” she said. “But everybody needs a home.”

“It all depends on how you look at it,” she said.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 949-7038.