Post by Freehold Resident on Aug 4, 2006 9:13:44 GMT -5
Group aims
to curb effects of illegals
School congestion, pick-up zones among concerns
FREEHOLD — A new group is taking aim at the quality-of-life problems associated with illegal immigration and day labor.
The fight is on, organizers say, to end illegal immigration, overcrowded dwellings, strained municipal services, school congestion, loitering, pick-up zones and tent cities, public nuisance, uncollected payroll and property taxes, disregard for and destruction of public and private property, noise, crime and other unbearable living conditions brought on by people and businesses who disregard local ordinances and state and federal laws.
The aim of PEOPLE, Pressing our Elected Officials to Protect our Living Environment, is to hold elected officials and agencies in local communities, states and the federal government accountable for these problems and to garner popular support in achieving its goals.
The founder PEOPLE is former Freehold Borough Councilman Marc LeVine, who was drafted by area residents upon publication of an editorial in Greater Media Newspapers’ News Transcript in September. "Our problems are similar to what other cities, towns and states across America are experiencing as a result of a system which quietly supports the notion of filling jobs with cheap labor and blatantly disregards our immigration laws and the hardships forced on taxpaying citizens at home — where they wish to live safely and in peace," LeVine said. "We are not bigots and welcome all people from all cultures to our already diverse town if they agree to live by the rule of law and pay their fair share for services offered to our residents."
PEOPLE is modeled after Sachem Quality of Life, a Farmingville, Long Island, N.Y., movement begun in 1998 to address similar issues in their area. The new group also has local ties to the ABLE focus group started by the late Freehold Borough Councilman John Rosseel and LeVine in 1991 to address overcrowding at apartment complexes in town. According to LeVine, the latter group was successful in introducing and getting passed a noise ordinance and another ordinance, which forced noncomplying apartment complex managers to hire security guards to control disturbances at their properties.
"The problems continue and have actually worsened and spread to other communities. Local elected officials are being outgunned and need to react better with the clout of the state and federal government behind them. Many of the laws are already on the books, but they are not being enforced," LeVine said.
PEOPLE will hold its first meeting at the American Legion, 62 Main St., Freehold, at 7 p.m. Oct. 16. The public is invited to attend, including residents from all towns in the area. The group plans to expand beyond Freehold Borough and hopes to attract the necessary support to achieve its goals.
to curb effects of illegals
School congestion, pick-up zones among concerns
FREEHOLD — A new group is taking aim at the quality-of-life problems associated with illegal immigration and day labor.
The fight is on, organizers say, to end illegal immigration, overcrowded dwellings, strained municipal services, school congestion, loitering, pick-up zones and tent cities, public nuisance, uncollected payroll and property taxes, disregard for and destruction of public and private property, noise, crime and other unbearable living conditions brought on by people and businesses who disregard local ordinances and state and federal laws.
The aim of PEOPLE, Pressing our Elected Officials to Protect our Living Environment, is to hold elected officials and agencies in local communities, states and the federal government accountable for these problems and to garner popular support in achieving its goals.
The founder PEOPLE is former Freehold Borough Councilman Marc LeVine, who was drafted by area residents upon publication of an editorial in Greater Media Newspapers’ News Transcript in September. "Our problems are similar to what other cities, towns and states across America are experiencing as a result of a system which quietly supports the notion of filling jobs with cheap labor and blatantly disregards our immigration laws and the hardships forced on taxpaying citizens at home — where they wish to live safely and in peace," LeVine said. "We are not bigots and welcome all people from all cultures to our already diverse town if they agree to live by the rule of law and pay their fair share for services offered to our residents."
PEOPLE is modeled after Sachem Quality of Life, a Farmingville, Long Island, N.Y., movement begun in 1998 to address similar issues in their area. The new group also has local ties to the ABLE focus group started by the late Freehold Borough Councilman John Rosseel and LeVine in 1991 to address overcrowding at apartment complexes in town. According to LeVine, the latter group was successful in introducing and getting passed a noise ordinance and another ordinance, which forced noncomplying apartment complex managers to hire security guards to control disturbances at their properties.
"The problems continue and have actually worsened and spread to other communities. Local elected officials are being outgunned and need to react better with the clout of the state and federal government behind them. Many of the laws are already on the books, but they are not being enforced," LeVine said.
PEOPLE will hold its first meeting at the American Legion, 62 Main St., Freehold, at 7 p.m. Oct. 16. The public is invited to attend, including residents from all towns in the area. The group plans to expand beyond Freehold Borough and hopes to attract the necessary support to achieve its goals.
