Samoa, Inside and Out
(June 24, 2010) Editor:
There is only one solution to the problem described in “Los Hechados” (June 10).
Legal citizens will not do their work. I did not use to believe this, as I worked at Sun Valley 33 years ago. The difference was that there were no chain stores or fast food joints with “help wanted” signs. There was literally no other work that I could find. Nowadays, as soon as an undocumented worker gets documented, he will go for the warm, dry, burger-flippin’ job.
The only way to get a documented worker to do back-breaking, miserable field work is to make it pay more. If that means our food is more expensive, so be it. It’s a lot more important than an iPod, anyway.
Edith Smith, McKinleyville
Editor:
As a resident of the town of Samoa I want to share my experience of having migrant workers live in this quaint but deteriorating gem overlooking the Pacific. With about 100 homes, Samoa is quiet, private and isolated from through traffic. The atmosphere is friendly, neighbors are helpful and look out for one another. It is a kids-playing-in-the-street kind of place.
We’d heard rumors that vacant homes in Samoa were for Sun Valley workers (around 10 homes, not six as reported). We’d seen Danco workers placing furniture in the homes. On Jan. 23, 2009, our new neighbors moved in. I felt compassion for these workers and attempted to welcome them by making contact and practicing my limited Spanish.
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on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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TWO Comments
Comment / By Sun Valley mole / June 24, 2010, 7:04 p.m.
I honestly have no idea why everyone thinks the Mexicans at Sun Valley get paid less. Everyone thinks this, but not one person knows that they are wrong. I used to work there. A connection I have within the finance department tells me that the Mexicans are actually paid more. Don’t believe me? Ask a Mexican who works there.
Comment / By maryjanecunningham / Today, 3:30 a.m.
I totally agree with every aspect of this letter about Samoa and the lack of Immigration enforcement. The Companies that import these illegal aliens are breaking the law and should go to jail. Two Notches.