Site Closed, Workers Search for Alternate Location

Farmingdale Site Closed, Workers Search for Alternate Location

Residents Say Glen Cove Should Serve as Model

By Marta E. Kane

In recent weeks, several residents in Farmingdale have mentioned that the City of Glen Cove should serve as a model for their own neighborhood. After the village decided to close the day laborers site on Elizabeth and Front Streets in Farmingdale, Village Mayor Joseph Trudden said that he will continue to do everything he can to help the laborers find an alternate location to congregate.

Workers protested on Conklin Street last spring when the village increased truck ticketing. In recent weeks, laborers have been assembling on Conklin holding similar signs and banners.

"We'll try to help them," Trudden said, "but they don't belong in a residential area."

Since the site's closing, Trudden met with representatives for the day laborers on at least one occasion in an effort to find a new location for them to gather each morning. Although a permanent location has not, as of yet, been determined, village officials promise to continue to work with the laborers until a new location is found.

"There has been a continuing dialogue," said Village Clerk-Treasurer John Giordano, adding that since the workers continue to protest on Conklin Street, they obviously haven't settled into a new location.

The workers have continued to congregate on Conklin Street to show their angst toward the village's decision to shut down the temporary site the village allotted them last year. Workers have said that the village promised to find a new location for them prior to shutting down the temporary one, and that promise has not been fulfilled. Village officials said that although they have suggested alternate sites, they have no power in forcing the workers to go anywhere unwillingly. Some of the sites suggested, including one on Route 110, an industrial area near Home Depot at Airport Plaza, didn't please workers since the site is in such a highly industrial part of town.

While many workers argue that the village's decision to close down the lot was an act of prejudice and racism, village officials said the driveway of the site was closed off due to an increase in traffic problems. In addition, officials said they will work with the laborers until a new, permanent location which pleases both residents and the workers is found.