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.�