The Observer Newspapers | Letter:Critics Belittle Work of Council

April 3, 2008

Critics Belittle Work of Council

Because elections are coming up, those who were against closing the day labor site are doing their best to belittle the efforts of our Town Council to address the problems of illegal aliens in our midst. Observer Editor Chris Moore in his editorial ("Same Ol' Tune for Town Council," March 28) admits that "we are all living with the same problem," but again feels nothing can be done unless the federal government does it. Supposedly, other (more credible?) agencies have been working on the issue for years. If that is the case they sure haven't been doing a great job.

I have noticed men lining the street near 7-Eleven again. What happened to their meeting at Alabama Drive Park? Kerrie Wilson, who has been a leader as an advocate for giving services to immigrants without regard to their being in this country legally, states that Reston Interfaith continues to educate the workers on how to best "exercise their rights to solicit work in Herndon's public rights-of-way." This makes me strongly suspect the workers are being encouraged to spread out along Elden to make the closure of the site seem to have been a mistake. This is divisive.

John De Noyer and Ann Csonka, please do not question our intelligence by telling us that as Herndon and Fairfax County taxpayers we are not paying for the Neighborhood Resource Center and Herndon Free Clinic. The majority of those who use them are Hispanic and since it has already been determined the many of those are here illegally, it only adds to the problems the town is having.

Bob Ashdown keeps mentioning God in his letters. The God I know does expect us to treat individuals with dignity, but my Bible tells me, in Paul's Gospel to the Romans, that God established leaders who will make and enforce the laws to keep order for the good of all the people, not just a few. We are told it is our duty to obey those laws. Those who come into this country without the right to do so are breaking the law.

This council has been trying to solve this problem through tackling overcrowding, enabling our police to crack down on criminal aliens and stopping men soliciting work on the streets through every lawful way possible. I hope all residents will realize we need a Town Council that will continue to work to address these issues. Please be informed and vote in our May 6 elections.

Betty Valley

Herndon