Shut Down Day Labor Site?

[Double L]

May 18, 2006, 3:55AM

Immigration fight starts war of words on council

Heated debate targets funding of labor site used by those here illegally

By ALEXIS GRANT and LORI RODRIGUEZ

Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

The national debate over border security fueled a fight at City Hall on Wednesday when a council member seeking a Republican congressional nomination charged that city funding for a day-labor site encouraged illegal immigration.

Supporters of the funding accused Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs of flip-flopping on the issue to gain conservative voter support in her bid for the nomination to succeed U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land.

"Some people will do or say anything in order to sway with that political climate," said Councilwoman Carol Alvarado, who has a history of squabbling with Sekula-Gibbs. "It's almost like changing your name during an election to gain support from a certain community," she added, sparking gasps and chatter in the council chamber.

Alvarado was referring to Sekula-Gibbs' run for her first council term in 2001, when she was elected as Shelley Sekula-Rodriguez using the surname of her late husband, KHOU newscaster Sylvan Rodriguez. She has since remarried.

Sekula-Gibbs and a few other members delayed a vote on the $100,000, federally funded contract, which would allow Neighborhood Centers Inc. to continue running the Second Ward site where laborers wait for day jobs.

Sekula-Gibbs, who has voted to fund day-labor sites in the past, said the council should stop funding the center in light of growing concern over illegal immigration. She also suggested that the city may be acting illegally by supporting the site.

"The president of the United States says we're not supposed to be employing illegal immigrants, and yet we use federal money to do that very thing, to assist them with employment," she said.

Her comments provoked an animated discussion

[RedScare]

"Some people will do or say anything in order to sway with that political climate," said Councilwoman Carol Alvarado, who has a history of squabbling with Sekula-Gibbs. "It's almost like changing your name during an election to gain support from a certain community," she added, sparking gasps and chatter in the council chamber.

"The president of the United States says we're not supposed to be employing illegal immigrants, and yet we use federal money to do that very thing, to assist them with employment," (Sekula-Gibbs) said.

Her comments provoked an animated discussion

[musicman]

Reeowr!

Sorry I missed this. Who says politics is not fun?

I want to hear Carol call Shelley a b!tch again. A also enjoyed councilwoman Sue Lovell criticizing Sekula-Gibbs' assumption that workers who use the day-labor site are illegal immigrants. On the news tonight the reporter said everyone they talked to at the day labor site was illegal. I think Ms. Lovell's the one who made an assumption.

[MidtownCoog]

If you remember, even Sylvan's son slammed Gibbs for the name switch. Can you imagine her in Congress? Oy vey.

But the least perpson I want to agree with the CA.

Starts with C and end with T.

[musicman]

City ends funding for day-labor hall

Site in East End was at the center of 2006 debate about immigration policy

Houston's only city-funded day labor center is set to close at the end of the month after city officials decided not to renew a $100,000 contract to run the hiring hall popular with illegal workers.

The East End Worker Development Center, at 2 N. Sampson, stirred a storm of controversy in spring 2006 after it became embroiled in a City Hall debate about whether it encouraged illegal immigration.

''The City Council determined that," said Michel, adding that there are no plans to explore alternate funding. ''It was debated last year at great length. The upshot of it was that we would not fund it again."

City Councilwoman Carol Alvarado, whose district includes the East End, said she would ask the administration to restore funding.

''These certainly do serve a valid purpose," she said of day labor centers. ''It's a safe, secure, controlled environment where people can go and look for work instead of hanging around on street corners and disrupting communities."

full article

[nmainguy]

Perhaps if Shelley Sekula-Rodriguez-Gibbs-Braun-or whatever name she is using today-had kept her commitment to serve out her term instead of playing Congresswoman For A Day, a portion of the millions it cost to run a special election and a run-off could have gone to funding the center. Besides, it was always fun to watch her get delicate flower-slapped on a regular basis by even the simpilest councilmember...can anyone say Orlando?

[GREASER]

I got scared when I saw this...I thought they were closing home depot

[Guest Marty]

I got scared when I saw this...I thought they were closing home depot

I smell a little of conservatism around here.

Why should the city fund these camps when the private sector like Home Depot already does it.

[stolitx]

I got scared when I saw this...I thought they were closing home depot

[musicman]

Home Depot is tired of being forced by local governments to accommodate the day laborers who turn up in its store parking lots seeking construction work. So the Georgia-based company turned to Congress for help.

The Senate could respond this week by attaching language to the immigration bill that would prohibit city councils from requiring home improvement stores to pay for shelters or other services to help maintain orderly day labor sites.

The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., is designed to curtail a practice in the California communities of Mountain View and Burbank, where city councils recently have forced Home Depot to build facilities for day laborers onsite or elsewhere, hire security staff and offer bathrooms in order to get the permits necessary for its operations.

full article

[stolitx]

Home Depot is tired of being forced by local governments to accommodate the day laborers who turn up in its store parking lots seeking construction work. So the Georgia-based company turned to Congress for help.

The Senate could respond this week by attaching language to the immigration bill that would prohibit city councils from requiring home improvement stores to pay for shelters or other services to help maintain orderly day labor sites.

The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., is designed to curtail a practice in the California communities of Mountain View and Burbank, where city councils recently have forced Home Depot to build facilities for day laborers onsite or elsewhere, hire security staff and offer bathrooms in order to get the permits necessary for its operations.

full article

I just read that article. Couldn't HD just create no loitering areas in their parking lot and enforce it? Seems to work at the Lowes where security and/or constables patrol the parking lot occasionally. Seems to take care of the problem.

[musicman]

I just read that article. Couldn't HD just create no loitering areas in their parking lot and enforce it? Seems to work at the Lowes where security and/or constables patrol the parking lot occasionally. Seems to take care of the problem.

i don't think lowe's is paying for it. for some reason...the constables don't patrol in the HD parking lot. i think their agreement with east end mgmt district tells them where they can patrol.

[gnu]

i don't think lowe's is paying for it. for some reason...the constables don't patrol in the HD parking lot. i think their agreement with east end mgmt district tells them where they can patrol.

and it may have something to do with Lowes being on Gulfgate (Wulfe) land while the Home Depot isn't considered part of "Gulfgate"

[musicman]

and it may have something to do with Lowes being on Gulfgate (Wulfe) land while the Home Depot isn't considered part of "Gulfgate"

yep, i KNOW that's it!

[TJones]

I heard the most ridiculous thing this morning. California local town govts. are passing bills that if big companies like Home Depot and Lowe's want to do business in their towns, that THEY have to build day labor sites with shelters and bathrooms and drinking water, either on property or close by. This is THE stupidest thing I have ever heard of govt. trying to do.

[VicMan]

I heard the most ridiculous thing this morning. California local town govts. are passing bills that if big companies like Home Depot and Lowe's want to do business in their towns, that THEY have to build day labor sites with shelters and bathrooms and drinking water, either on property or close by. This is THE stupidest thing I have ever heard of govt. trying to do.

Which towns and cities?

I agree that is incredibly DUMB.

[TJones]

Sorry musicman, I didn't see that you had already covered this. How'd I miss that. Seems to be mostly the towns closer to the border where "day laborers"(illegals) are gathering in the parking lots and bothering customers. I am guessing from San Diego down the councils may be doing this ?

[Vertigo58]

I heard the most ridiculous thing this morning. California local town govts. are passing bills that if big companies like Home Depot and Lowe's want to do business in their towns, that THEY have to build day labor sites with shelters and bathrooms and drinking water, either on property or close by. This is THE stupidest thing I have ever heard of govt. trying to do.

US can send the $$$ bill to?

More than likely come back "return so sender".

[TJones]

US can send the $$$ bill to?

More than likely come back "return so sender".

Vertigo, you lost me there pal. There is no money in this bill. Well, I guess there is money, money that HD has to pay to build shelters and what not. Perhaps a small price to pay for making millions in those communities. Maybe incorporate something like that with the oil companies, if they want to build a new store front ?

[VicMan]

I know that Westpark (along U. S. 59) outside of 610 and before the Westpark recycling center has day laborers.

[musicman]

Sorry musicman, I didn't see that you had already covered this. How'd I miss that. Seems to be mostly the towns closer to the border where "day laborers"(illegals) are gathering in the parking lots and bothering customers. I am guessing from San Diego down the councils may be doing this ?

it's actually all over the country. article specifically mentioned calif, illinois and washing dc.

[TJones]

I know that Westpark (along U. S. 59) outside of 610 and before the Westpark recycling center has day laborers.

Yes, and YOUR'S and MY tax dollars help out with letting these mostly illegal workers congregate at no less than 3 city-funded locals. Apparently there are over 30 places around the city where "day-laborers" get together though. Imagine if HD and Lowe's had to build 30 shelter's, would that be fair, would even having to build ONE shelter fair ? Should we as taxpayers have to build shelters for illegals to hang out at all day ? Let LULAC and private entities pay for them, since they are soooooo concerned about them.

Here is a nice link the City of Houston provided for us all: http://www.houstontx.gov/moira/2005townhal...aborbooklet.pdf

[Vertigo58]

Yes, and YOUR'S and MY tax dollars help out with letting these mostly illegal workers congregate at no less than 3 city-funded locals. Apparently there are over 30 places around the city where "day-laborers" get together though. Imagine if HD and Lowe's had to build 30 shelter's, would that be fair, would even having to build ONE shelter fair ? Should we as taxpayers have to build shelters for illegals to hang out at all day ? Let LULAC and private entities pay for them, since they are soooooo concerned about them.

Here is a nice link the City of Houston provided for us all: http://www.houstontx.gov/moira/2005townhal...aborbooklet.pdf

Ok, looks like you answered the question you asked me a moment ago. USA (America) can send the whopping price tag to build these facilities to whom? It will end up in OUR laps. We are the richest country in the world they say. Streets lined with gold, etc.

The Gulfgate HD has become a focal point for these guys because of several factors. There are bus depots from The America's in such close proximity of the area. You cant even count them. Seems like every other month a new one pops up. Numerous low rent apts nearby are another factor. Seems every other month there are a group of protestors try to run them away and HPD has to referee. Just sit inside the Whataburger place next door and you have a front row seat of all the madness. As mentioned earlier, the folks getting on buses to go to LA casinos also voice their concerns/fears as they carry $ before and after boarding. These guys hang out early & late and I mean like within feet of the travelers. They also have to leave their cars so they wonder if desperation will kick in from the ever so close loitering. When they shoo these guys away they meander to the back alley of HD and to nearby business's. See for your self people. No exagerrating here. I can't help it I gotta tell ya!

[musicman]

As mentioned earlier, the folks getting on buses to go to LA casinos also voice their concerns/fears as they carry $ before and after boarding. These guys hang out early & late and I mean like within feet of the travelers. They also have to leave their cars so they wonder if desperation will kick in from the ever so close loitering.

i don't "fear" them. they stay to themselves. i think you're talking more about the homeless situation. they seem to be loitering the woodridge intersection while the HPD is in the u-turn lane under the gulf freeway pulling people over for not wearing belts. they come from all over town to specifically loiter at this intersection because the takin's are good.

[TJones]

i don't "fear" them. they stay to themselves. i think you're talking more about the homeless situation. they seem to be loitering the woodridge intersection while the HPD is in the u-turn lane under the gulf freeway pulling people over for not wearing belts. they come from all over town to specifically loiter at this intersection because the takin's are good.

I am with you on that Musicman, I don't think those guys getting off the buses from Mexico are the ones out to steal the wallets of customers coming back from Lake Chuck. Besides, most the people getting off the casino buses are traveling in pairs or groups back to their cars, that usually will scare off attackers, even those with guns.

[GREASER]

We are not the richest country with the highest standard of living...we just happen to be the one within walking distance. If we cut all the benefits to these people they wouldnt stay.

[musicman]

The doors at a prominent Houston day labor center won't be closing any time soon after all.

The controversial day labor site, slated to close after a city contract expired last month, will operate for another year with $100,000 in private funding, officials confirmed on Monday. The center had been Houston's only city-funded day labor facility.

Levinson credited the donations to a fundraising effort by Mayor Bill White, who last month pledged to find funding to operate the center after the contract expired. Levinson said the donors wish to remain anonymous.

full article

[TJones]

The doors at a prominent Houston day labor center won't be closing any time soon after all.

The controversial day labor site, slated to close after a city contract expired last month, will operate for another year with $100,000 in private funding, officials confirmed on Monday. The center had been Houston's only city-funded day labor facility.

Levinson credited the donations to a fundraising effort by Mayor Bill White, who last month pledged to find funding to operate the center after the contract expired. Levinson said the donors wish to remain anonymous.

full article

You bet your ass they want to remain anonymous, they might lose business if it got out that they were backing illegals.

[MidtownCoog]

Sounds like Bob Perry is at work. Gotta feed both sides.

[TJones]

My money says LULAC is pumpin money in, or perhaps Bill White himself.