Solution offered for day laborers

After reading your Sept. 28 article on a recent court ruling on day laborers, I began to ponder some possible solutions. Obviously if this is not handled at our city level, the courts, especially federal courts, get involved and that is what we don’t want — a federalized city.

I certainly cannot fault anyone who looks for work since the "work ethic" is what not only made America great, but also allowed both individuals and groups, especially immigrants, to mainstream and make a better life for themselves. By mainstream I mean they became part of the community.

You mention statements put forth by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) and Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA).

Since the laborers are soliciting from a public thoroughfare, it belongs to the public and that means all of us. Their rights must be protected, but also the rights of the rest of the public need safeguards also.

Therefore I suggest a labor exchange such as that at the site of the former L.A. County Sheriff’s Department station in Malibu.

I noticed it sits back from the public roadway so no vehicular traffic patterns are influenced by workers congregating there. Only vehicles for the purpose of transporting laborers to a work site are seen at the labor exchange areas.

Some of the vacant land near the corner of Kanan and Agoura roads could be used for a temporary (or permanent) labor exchange location. Once the location was selected, the city of Agoura Hills and representatives from MALDEF and CHIRLA should meet and determine responsibilities for the site.

The city could provide a temporary (or permanent) shelter set back 100 yards from the roadway. Portable toilets would be provided as well as ample trash receptacles.

Rather than involve the sheriff’s department, the organizations responsible for immigrants’ rights should get involved and advise the concerned party of rules:

Stay within the specified labor exchange areas; use toilet and trash facilities provided on site and; use acceptable behavior toward each other and the rest of the public.

It will be the responsibility of the city (or county) to provide this area and facilities, and the laborers and their representatives will be responsible for the three items mentioned in the previous paragraph.

A nominal fee could be charged per day or a monthly pass could be purchased to legitimize soliciting in Agoura Hills (only at the labor exchange — nowhere else).

The funds collected could help defray the cost of servicing toilets and trash collection.

Both the city and the laborers would share responsibilities in the operation of the site; this way everyone involved in the process has a stake in its success.

Agoura Hills is a great place to live and work. We must all do our part to keep it that way.

Brian Glennon

Agoura Hills