This week's protest by Farmingdale's Hispanic immigrant day laborers against the village's crackdown on public hiring practices shed light on an important issue which deserves the focus of the local community.

In the name of traffic safety, village officials continue to ticket the trucks that pick up the workers along Conklin for landscaping and construction jobs. Meanwhile, the low-wage laborers, most of whom came here to escape poverty and political turmoil in Latin American countries, are being prevented from getting work, because most contractors are being driven away by the summonses. The effects of this have been devastating for the workers, who depend on their meager wages to support themselves and their families.

We understand that the village has a responsibility to protect its citizens with regard to traffic safety, and that this is a major quality of life issue for local residents, who work hard to own a home and pay taxes in Farmingdale. But, as a community, we also have the moral responsibility not to ignore the financial hardships being endured by the immigrant laborers as a result of this. Communication between all parties is key to finding a solution that the village officials, their constituents and the laborers can live with. The issue will continue to simmer in Farmingdale until a sincere, open dialogue begins.