Marietta Daily Journal

Letters to the editor

Illegals working indirectly for city

September 09, 2014

DEAR EDITOR:

I just read the article regarding those in Marietta who will have to foreclose on their properties due to failure to pay the city for mowing. I don’t know why anyone has to hire the city to mow their grass when they could save a lot of money simply by hiring an illegal Mexicano or Guatemalteco on Powder Springs Road. These “caballeros” will work for $8 an hour!

Oh, wait!!! I almost forgot — it’s illegal to hire illegals. However, the city is hiring them, indirectly, to do city landscaping, roadwork, etc.

I speak fluent Spanish. I lived and worked in Mexico, as well as spent time in Guatemala. Each time I see Latinos working on the streets of Marietta, I strike up a conversation with them (I need to practice my Español) and they willingly tell me they don’t have “papeles de trabajo” (working papers). Most don’t speak English and have been here a short time. They are hired indirectly through the contractors hired by the city.

They are from Guatemala — specifically, Quetzaltenango, San Marcos and Xela — where the “coyotes” run their deplorable, detestable, cruel and dangerous business of smuggling. The city knows this. However, I doubt they’re aware of the inhumane manner in which these “pobresitos” have arrived.

With so many folks out of work these days collecting government assistance, it would be wise for the contractors to look for workers at the Marietta library instead of the streets.

Oh, wait! — I almost forgot! That wouldn’t be cost efficient. Que lastima! (What a shame!)

Donna Kalish

Marietta

HERE http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/25735083/article-Illegals-working-indirectly-for-city?instance=lead_story_left_column#comment_reply_25737657