A gentleman spoke tonight to the City Commission about how he and his friends had tried and tried to get hired on local city construction projects but had been rebuffed. The explanation given them was that the jobs were already fully crewed, with workers "from Texas". Presumably with green cards. Yeah, right.

The same thing happened at the Newtown redevelopment project that is nearing completion, and a promise was made then to "do something about it". What was done, tell the illegal guys to go hide when the INS guy came around?

These are your neighbors, folks! You save a couple of dollars an hour now hiring illegals and pay for it in another crash next year! Hire your neighbor now, the taxes he pays when he spends your money locally (as opposed to, say, sending it out of the country) will help you get another project when this one is done.

I told the gentleman who spoke that I would vote for local labor if I am elected. I am putting it in writing on this website which will remain up as long as I serve as your elected official.