2008.03.13
Home plan crumbles amid public ignorance
Batten down the hatches, folks. We may have witnessed a bit of immigration hysteria in Bedford County.
Monday, the county board of supervisors rejected a proposal by Forest builder David St. John after he acknowledged the town houses he wanted to build would be for seasonal workers he hires from -- gasp! -- Mexico.
St. John, a soft-spoken man, didn't want to wade into the fiery immigration debate that has engulfed this country when we spoke Wednesday afternoon.
"I don't know what was in the thoughts of the board," he said politely. "That's a good question for the board members."
But come on, what else can it be?
Supervisor Dale Wheeler lamely offered that St. John's request was "the wrong use of the property."
Never mind that the county's planning department had signed off, saying the proposal to build multifamily units met the necessary criteria for approval.
Never mind that planning commissioners had approved it unanimously in January.
Never mind that these are legal, temporary workers, not the fearsome illegal immigrants who zealots howl so much about.
All that went out the window when the public showed up at a meeting Monday night, panned the idea and groused about shirtless men and potential lower property values. The board caved and shot down St. John's request 5-2.
About the neighboring property owners at the meeting, St. John said, "I think there was concern about who was going to live there."
St. John sought a special-use permit to build seven town houses. Five of the units would be home to 20 seasonal workers that his company, May Bros., hires from March through December. He intended to charge the workers rent, and lease the other two town houses at market rates.
For five years, May Bros. has hired the workers through a federally mandated program -- which means the men are here legally.
May Bros. is a site preparation firm, grading land and getting it ready for the builders. During the construction season, St. John said he has about 50 employees on the payroll, including the seasonal workers.
As part of the federal mandate, May Bros. is responsible for finding housing for the workers, but they pay their own rent and utilities. St. John said the pay range is $8 an hour for a first-year worker to about $12 an hour.
Most of the seasonal workers are returning employees.
This year, St. John said he decided to start the process to build the town houses on 10 acres at May Bros.' headquarters so all the workers could live together. Current zoning allows single-family housing there, and eight of the Mexican workers have lived in a large house on the property for the past two years.
Some of the men are related, St. John noted. Having them staying in the same location saves time -- and gas -- each morning and evening from having to pick them up and drop them off at different spots.
His plan was to build town houses with two bedrooms and two baths, valued at about $115,000. That's not shabby. The units would have been very similar to other nearby town houses, he said.
How often have we heard or read about foreign workers crammed into living conditions because their wages are so low they can't afford better?
From all evidence, St. John was trying to avoid that scenario by building homes more amenable to his employees.
St. John should be commended for trying to create nice housing that would not only benefit his company and his employees but also help maintain the property values of his neighbors.
The board of supervisors' decision was short-sighted. St. John's actions should be encouraged -- not rejected because of the public's ignorance.
Ah yes, but what the public does not know it the influence of the Roanoke City Council in this decision. Given the glut of available cheap housing in Roanoke City, Councilman FitzP is going to run a bus service from downtown to Bedford which will enable all these people to reside in and contribute to the economic development of the City. Hopes are they will purchase the property in the old Grand building. There is nothing like a low wage household with 12 little kids to add to the public school system's burden. Boy, I love this country!
Comment by Al — March 14, 2008 @ 2:11 pm
In all do reality...Everyone needs a place to live! Lets do that for the homeless as well! And too, not all those on the poverty scale live in low-income housing! Also, some of the best workers I have seen are not just the white race, as a matter of fact most of us have become quite lazy and who do we blame this on...I personally blame it on us...individually!
Comment by Bev Bishop — March 15, 2008 @ 9:58 am
Churches...step up and collectively resolve this human dilemma. For if God is your boss as proclaimed, this is minor in terms of famine, war, pestilence, etc., that could very easily beset a land that has been truly blessed.
Comment by Bobby Buck — March 15, 2008 @ 2:00 pm
I'm sure that he will provide healthcare to these migrants in case they get sick. Oh, I forgot! That's what our tax money is for. This is nothing more than another greedy business man putting it to the legal, working, taxpayers of his community. We must stop importing poverty NOW.
Comment by Rob C — March 17, 2008 @ 9:05 pm
In all do reality we are all human! We seem to worry more about who is paying what and then tend to not care about who is covered by health insurance, housing, food etc...Instead we worry most often about what no.1 is getting which is self first and foremost and that is truly sad and even moreso when all are one when terrible events happen! United we all do not stand after a period of time, instead we crumble once again and each man, woman or child struggles that has little to nothing! Where is United...where are we all leveled as being equal? There will always be this supposed I am not racist but in all do reality, most all people are when it comes to money! Who is getting and who will not? Advantage...Disadvantage! Rich, middle class...Voices heard! And then those who live in poverty very seldom have a voice! Also, if we will not work in the US that have been born here then how is work to get done? Instead we have to bring in people from other countries to work what other men and women will not! We are truly a very spoiled country to where we all have become simply put...LAZY!
Comment by Bev Bishop — March 18, 2008 @ 9:00 am
this is positively the worst example of journalism drivel that i have ever read...my first comment outlining the untruths of this article was apparently squashed by the writer. therefore, no further time will be wasted on deaf ears to justifying the smart moves of the public and the excellent decision of the board of supervisors in this matter...so let it be!!!
josiah, your comment didn't contribute to the debate. It denigrated others without making any point. I can take my hits, but I won't let you post thoughtless garbage that doesn't further the debate.----s
Comment by josiah — March 18, 2008 @ 9:12 am
I am sorry, didn't the article read that these workers would be paying rent?? So they aren't living off of our taxes. They are making their own wages. We need to direct these comments to the hundreds of people who don't WORK for thier money or pay their own rent. If these people are indeed coming here legally to WORK and pay their own way I don't see what the big problem is. I also don't see why all the hurtful comments that have been made above.
Comment by shan — March 18, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
the debate will not go on until you publish my original comment...you have denigrated the general public,zealots, the majority of the board,and particularly dale wheeler and josiah. you have glorified a greedy builer, families of nothing but itinerant workers,david st.john, and immigration. you may have bit the hand that feeds you...i rest my case.
Comment by josiah — March 18, 2008 @ 6:41 pm
Shan, excellent comment and I am in total agreement! They are working or would be working and eventually paying monies back into our economy and pay taxes just like anyone else does! Maybe we should focus more on crimes being committed and other things such as education, health care, and those fighting the the war instead of always damning those that are truly willing to work to be in our country and do not cause sad disruptions to our society!
Comment by Bev Bishop — March 19, 2008 @ 10:33 am
Let me explain this a different way. There is nothing wrong with compassion for less fortunate people. But when you use other peoples' tax money to assuage your liberal guilt you are out of line. This problem could be solved if employers paid a better wage, thereby attracting better employees. As for the people referred to by Bev Bishop as "lazy", cut back on their welfare programs and they may actually get a job......for once.
Comment by Rob C — March 19, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
Rob, thank you and I am guessing that a family with two working having three children are considered to be wealthy in these times that we see now! There are people that recieve welfare assistance and still both parents are working! Better wages...I totally agree with you but when will that happen and when wages are raised the taxes sky rocket! Food, gas and etc are perfect examples of what all are going to do with that great tax check coming back soon...there will be no room for investment or saving! Why is it that we always blame those living in poverty for everyone else that has a voice in the political circles doings! Maybe we should look at those white collar men who are sitting well off in those offices we so gracefully put them in due to our trusting their words of promise after promises! And it is true, we are all lazy...myself included!
Comment by Bev Bishop — March 19, 2008 @ 3:16 pm