Controversial subject of the day...

Alright, we can't do anything about the baseball situation but we do have other issues here at home to discuss. Like the day laborer situation in Farmingville. Thoughts?? Did anyone read the article in Newday about Levy? Do you think he's just in his actions?

JMO I think he's 100% in the right. Has anyone ever gone down N. Ocean in the morning and seen 100's of men lining the streets? Scary!!! I would hate to be a teenage girl walking to school or taking the bus and have to go past that area. I hate catching the light. I feel like I have to lock the car door or something!

Re: Controversial subject of the day...

i didn't read the article but the way I see it- if the people who need this type of work would pay a decent wage and benefits, maybe we wouldn't need day laborers.

Re: Controversial subject of the day...

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Posted by ambersmom

JMO I think he's 100% in the right. Has anyone ever gone down N. Ocean in the morning and seen 100's of men lining the streets? Scary!!! I would hate to be a teenage girl walking to school or taking the bus and have to go past that area. I hate catching the light. I feel like I have to lock the car door or something!

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I have to agree - being someone who has driven down these roads - I do tend to get a little nervous.

Re: Controversial subject of the day...

I live close by to this area and I really see these people not being a threat at all
Just trying to make a living.

Re: Controversial subject of the day...

Maybe they are not a physical threat but they are definitely a threat to the financial standing of the middle class homeowner. When 100's and 100's of children are newly enrolling in the schools each year w/no tax monies subsidizing their enrollment (coming in from their 'hard-working' parents). Who do you think is absorbing the double digit school tax increases every year?

Then everyone asks why the housing costs are so high on Long Island. It's a total domino effect!

Re: Controversial subject of the day...

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Posted by ambersmom

Maybe they are not a physical threat but they are definitely a threat to the financial standing of the middle class homeowner. When 100's and 100's of children are newly enrolling in the schools each year w/no tax monies subsidizing their enrollment (coming in from their 'hard-working' parents). Who do you think is absorbing the double digit school tax increases every year?

Then everyone asks why the housing costs are so high on Long Island. It's a total domino effect!

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I don't think they are causing housing prices to be high. They would be high with or without day laborers. Quite frankly- it would be A LOT more expensive for things like typical home care maint. (grass cut, house painting, construction) without these people..

Like I said, if you are prepared to pay a 'middle class person' to do that work- then that would solve the problem. But while people want something done and want to pay a cheap price for it and not have to pay tax on the wage, workers comp, etc then they will never go away.

It's not the laborers fault it's the people that HIRE THEM!

Re: Controversial subject of the day...

A while back I heard that there were discussions about building halls for these men to go to get work rather than wait outside...did anything ever come of that?

Re: Controversial subject of the day...

I've always felt, at least they're trying to get work...While some of them may not be completely honest in their employment endeavors, there are some men out there who are trying to make a decent living. It's not fair to judge them all. And I've seen much shadier kids hanging out in front of 7-11!!