EDITORIAL:Pragmatism, idealism meet in labor center

Idealists and pragmatists in Laguna Beach can both agree that the Day Labor Center is a good thing that must be kept in place if the city is to keep a handle on the scores of people who solicit work here.

The demise of such centers in other towns, such as Costa Mesa, has made it more important, not less important, to keep the Laguna Beach facility operating. This area is known for paying relatively high wages to temporary workers and for its numerous construction projects: the good, plentiful jobs are here.

The labor center is also needed to keep intact the 1993 city ordinance that prohibits job-seekers from soliciting on street corners or anywhere but the Day Labor Center.

Without the provision of a place to invoke their Constitutional right to freedom of speech ? rights which are enjoyed by citizens and noncitizens alike in this country ? that ordinance could be challenged and likely overturned in a court of law. That would result in a return to the chaotic conditions of 15 years ago that the center was designed to eliminate.

Day labor centers have become political footballs for those who want to make illegal immigrants ? that is, illicit job-seekers from other countries ? feel unwelcome. The City Council has rejected more than once the demands of opponents to close the facility down.

Caltrans and city officials are now hammering out a “fair market” lease for the state-owned site, and, depending upon the amount, the lease may or may not require the approval of the City Council, we are told.

If the lease does go to the council, we can expect more loud protests from certain quarters who are not about to give up their fight to thwart employment of illegal immigrants at every turn ? even at the expense of their neighbors’ peace of mind and of the duly entitled to seek day work here in an orderly manner.

One anonymous letter-writer notes that there are no organized protests of the free weekend breakfasts served to the homeless at Main Beach, while those who want to work for a meal are the targets of angry picketers. “This does not seem fair,” the writer says.

It’s simply not in this city’s interest to be part of a campaign of denial of basic human rights and needs. Laguna has stood tall on principle, and in pragmatism, in keeping the efficient, well-operated Day Labor Center running.