Seventh in a series.
Both of the Town of Herndon mayoral candidates and each of the eight candidates for Town Council will stand for election on Tuesday, May 7. Between now and Election Day, candidates were asked to respond to a series of questions and topics in order to provide the voters with some insight as to who they are and where they stand regarding the crucial issues facing the Town of Herndon.
This week’s topic is: Propose a potential solution to Herndon's growing day laborer concern.
Mayoral Candidates
Richard “Rick” Thoesen – Town Councilman
“Minimize negative impacts caused by the current site and after-hour loitering, yet strive to allow day laborers to pursue employment opportunities. I will implement the recommendations offered by the GMU mediation group and empower faith-based organizations and related stakeholders to develop a new and safe staging area and tighter rules.”
William “Bill” Tirrell, Sr. – Town Councilman
“Easier access to learning English. The ability to communicate will enable 'day laborers' to compete for jobs other than sporadic day labor. I've already publicly requested private sector and not-for-profit groups to provide scholarships to defer school expenses. Open competition can eliminate day labor pickups and attendant issues.”
Council Candidates
Carol Bruce – Mayor
“Before we can begin to solve this problem — the most visible aspect of which is loitering by laborers who don’t find work, we must find ways to manage it. Step one? Establish an official, staffed, pick-up site with set hours of operation and clear, fair, enforceable rules for participants.”
John De Noyer – Town Councilman
“Establish a joint venture between NVBIA and Fairfax Economic Development Authority to form a cooperative enterprise to buy Alabama Drive land, build a facility/shelter, pay for satellite police presence/station, and contract for a cantina. Then, hire laborers, screen for skills, and rent to employers. Simultaneously strengthen anti-loitering laws. Many benefits.”
Judy Downer – Challenger
“Pick up sites should provide shelter, bathrooms and water. Optimally, snacks, translators, English and Spanish classes would be desirable. Location and ingress/egress must be considered so as not to impact residential neighborhoods. Well-sited churches might be the answer.”
Dennis Husch – Town Councilman
“Labors have the constitutional right of assembly. The majority of complaints have nothing to do with the laborers as most of them are gone by 9:30 a.m. The complaints are about loitering and littering. These issues must be resolved by police and should not become a burden to Herndon’s taxpayers.”
Connie Hutchinson – Challenger
“Day laborers are honest men looking to do hard manual labor in exchange for an honest day's wage. Our efforts should focus on making sure they understand the process to be legally registered for work in the U.S. and that their employers are reporting their wages to the federal government.”
David A. Kirby – Challenger
“An agreement between the day laborers and the businesses, along with an education process, is what is needed. The day laborers will have to conform to standards of behavior or be cited for breaking the law. The Neighborhood Resource Center would be a good place for the education process. A simple registration process may also be required.”
Michael L. O’ Reilly – Town Councilman
“The day labor pool that assembles at the corner of Alabama Drive and
Elden Street must be relocated. The Town is currently reviewing alternate sites. Any criminal activity must be dealt with immediately with full prosecution by the Town. No form of harassment can or should be tolerated.”
Harlon Reece – Town Councilman
"A new day labor site is needed to replace the unofficial site on Elden
Street. The site should have established/limited hours of operation, an on-site coordinator to match laborers with contractors, and rules for conduct with sanctions for violations. The site should be managed by a non-profit organization."