BREA : Council Considering Dayworkers Center

In a move which might cost Brea residents $37,000, the city is considering proposals to create a day labor job center to reduce the heavy foot traffic of casual workers along South Walnut Avenue.

Residents took turns advocating and deploring the plan at a council meeting this week, but members voted unanimously to explore the possibility of the development of a center, to be run by a nonprofit agency, where dayworkers can gather for jobs.

“The number of day laborers and their cultural habits intimidate some of the residents,” said City Manager Frank Benest. “This practice disrupts downtown neighborhoods and hinders traffic safety.”

Benest said that staff would try to establish a “relocatable trailer” at an “appropriate locale” off the street. Preliminary estimates put the cost at $37,000.

“This is wrong,” said resident Gary Moore. “I see illegal aliens. It bothers me to encourage fostering this kind of attitude so that more people can come for a haven.”

Dan King, a resident who has employed day laborers, endorsed the proposal.

“These people are out there to make a living,” he said. “They’re nice people. You’ve got to hire these people, they’re the only ones available.”

A bilingual teacher who said he didn’t want to be considered a bigot insisted that “tax dollars should not support something which is considered illegal.”

“I know this is a terrible problem,” said Brain Saul, another Brea resident. “I’m just concerned why our taxes are spent on this issue.”

Councilman Wayne D. Wedin called on Brea’s “long tradition of social conscience” to help solve the problem.

Councilman Ron Isles said the city “would not be willing to go into this until a permanent site was proposed.”