Liberty Street Owner Getting Some Heat
By Greg L | 21 November 2007 | Manassas City | 37 Comments
Apparently the city has been getting some complaints about the makeshift billboard at Liberty and Prince William Streets in Manassas and is looking at doing something about this eyesore in the city’s historic district, according to today’s edition of the Potomac News. That Manassas City residents have been so accommodating to this point is a testament to their tolerance, but this clearly has gone beyond the level of annoyance, to being a persistent blight on the city. It’s time to end this outrage.
While the city seems to be unable to find an applicable provision in city ordinances to regulate the conversion of partially-demolished houses into forty-foot long billboards, it did seem to find an opportunity to cite Mr. Fernandez, the property owner, for unauthorized modifications to a structure under the building code. It’s a start. As for Mr. Fernandez’s wish to have the property re-zoned to allow him to build high-density residential housing or commercial space, given his behavior and the location of this property in a historic residential area, that’s just not going to happen. Deliberately enraging the city is no way to set up asking for a favor.
Residents should definitely keep the heat on. It’s going to take some more unsolicited input in order for the city to get this mess cleaned up, and this isn’t the time to let up.
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I would think that not only residents, but also business owners in close proximity would be complaining to city hall. It sure doesn’t seem to fit in with the restoration of Old Towne.
Mr. Fernandez has had more than his 15 minutes of fame. It’s time to complete the demolition of the property. Enough already!
From his actions and statements, it seems that Mr. Fernandez
still isn’t fully aware of the difference between the
City of Manassas and Prince William County. The PWC BOCS
passed the resolution he denounces, but the sign is in
the heart of Manassas City. Suggest, at the least, he
move it to PWC.
They usually do have a problem understanding borders, don’t they?
“They usually do have a problem understanding borders, don’t they?”
ROFLMAO! What a great point!
ICE policy change shields illegal aliens in Texas.
Local jurisdictions seeking cooperation are rebuffed by feds.
ICE says arrests for speeding, assault, public intoxication and passing bad checks are no longer grounds for deportation.
http://tinyurl.com/27ny4x
Some better news, from FAIR’s website, at http://www.steinreport.com/archives/010971.html:
November 20, 2007
Migrants Lose Jobs as Law Nears
Hundreds of undocumented workers find themselves unemployed with the passage of a new law signed in July by Gov. Janet Napolitano, of Arizona. The employer sanctions law penalizes employers who knowingly hire illegal workers. Under the new law, employers are required to verify employees work eligibility through a federal database and repeat violators face business license revocation. Critics have filed a motion to repeal the law arguing it is unconstitutional and invites racial profiling As of Tuesday, 4,460 out of about 150,000 employers signed up to use the database. “One long-time illegal alien worker in Arizona commented to the press, “[If] I can’t work, then I’ve lost the reason for being here. My only option is to go back to Mexico.” When the law goes into effect on January 01, the number of firings is expected to rise significantly as employers must comply.
Know some PW BOCS members are even amused by
Mr. Fernandez’s sign - since it is in the City of Manassas.
A dozen signs in Manassas wouldn’t bother the
BOCS. Mr. Fernandez’s “accomplishment” is
hurting Old Town Manassas - not impacting the BOCS.
One can only conclude this has more to do with his ego
than with the PW resolution.
From the article about ICE policy change:
“The new guidelines will enable ICE to “allocate our law enforcement assets in the most effective manner possible to address public safety and national security threats,” according to a memo sent to Irving outlining the changes.”
Sounds reasonable to me. If there are only so many federal resources available, it makes sense to focus their efforts on those problems that have significant federal implications. Especially since localities already have systems set up to handle what are essentially local problems.
So, we bring the suspect’s status to the attention of the responsible authorities. We’ve done our job. We should let them do their job, and prioritize their actions based on resources and perceived threat. Anything more is simply overburdening a system that we rely on to keep us safe from outside threats. I think we can help them do that job more effectively by accepting the responsibility to enforce laws that PWC has jurisdiction over.
You’ve got the right to complain. You’ve got the right to apply pressure to force the county and feds to re-evaluate their priorities. But by compelling the county to deliver non-threatening aliens to the federal doorstep you are making the problem much larger than it should be. More cost, more local turmoil, more perception of indifference, intolerance and hate.
Here in PWC we’re getting ready to buy a big ‘ol cart, fill it with people, and hitch it to a horse that has no intention or capability of pulling it. That doesn’t seem to make too much sense.
Catawba said on 21 Nov 2007 at 10:16 am:
ICE says arrests for speeding, assault, public intoxication and passing bad checks are no longer grounds for deportation.
Another perfect example of the Federal Government not living up to it’s responsibility. What did they do with the 3 billion dollars to build the fence that was removed from the defense allocation budget within the past two weeks? State leaders like Virginia’s say illegal immigration is a “Federal” problem and the Feds say “we don’t have the resources.” WHAT A CROCK!
Big Dog said on 21 Nov 2007 at 11:28 am:
Know some PW BOCS members are even amused by
Mr. Fernandez’s sign
Who are they? Names please.
Vigilant1,
“What did they do with the 3 billion dollars to build the fence that was removed from the defense allocation budget within the past two weeks?”
I wonder the same thing!
It appears that no one has the authority or the resources, speaking of a crock.
Peter Danlyn:
It (filling the cart with people) makes a lot of sense to me. A lot of people will unass the area just to avoid being put on the cart.
I would dispense with the cart and prosecute/sanction employers supporting illegal immigration. Then self-deportation becomes more likely. Look at the e-Verify law going into effect in AZ.
Why is Mr. Fernandez the presumed owner of 9500 LIBERTY ST? The tax information states that DELIA ALVAREZ is the owner and has been since 8/13/2003. Am I missing something here?
Maureen,
Excellent point. Ms. Alvarez is the owner. I don’t see where there’s any proof of death or marriage license for her. Perhaps, Mr F. is her attorney in fact. Why isn’t the city taking matters up with Ms. A. she’s the owner of record, unless the city knows something that’s not of public record in PWC. Perhaps, someone from the City’s Council could let us know something.
Thank you Lafayette. I think I will go to the city council meeting and ask. Hope that’s okay with Anonymous said on 20 Nov 2007 at 6:46 pm:
“Greg, thanks for going to citizens time today. I see you rode down there with Patty on her broom. To bad y’all didn’t bring Chris - I love Greg and Boom Boom Wood with you. I enjoy my Chan 23 dose of comedy.”
BTW, I wonder if that comment was really made by MOM, since HE is so concerned about Lafayette and myself.
Big Dog said on 21 Nov 2007 at 11:28 am:
Know some PW BOCS members are even amused by
Mr. Fernandez’s sign - since it is in the City of Manassas.
Well, the CoM does not to seem to mind it or they would have something done about this property sometime ago. So, why should the PWCBOS care?
I agree with 999…. names, please.
Advocator:
According to this policy statement, the feds will not charge people with immigration violations based on local referrals stemming from class 3 misdemeanors. There will be no charges on which to hold them.
So what you advocate is rounding people up and detaining them indefinitely in order to use them as an example to others to stay away? That may be effective, but it would provide just as much of an example of indifference to inalienable human rights outlined in the Constitution. It will be very costly from a financial standpoint, a public relations standpoint, and from a moral standpoint.
Rob Smalls
I agree. Significant oversight, enforcement, prosecution and penalties for employing undocumented workers would be more effective. But it has to be commensurate with their ability to pay. What may cost Larry’s Landscaping $5,000 dollars should cost WalMart $5,000,000… or more.
Peter: Once the rest got the message and unassed the area, the costs would be quite low, if non-existent, and recouped fairly quickly by rising property values and quality of life, and fewer infrastructure requirements.
Costly from a public relations standpoint? You mean the Liberals might call us names? They might stay in Arlington instead of move here? The WAPO might write nasty stuff about us? The MJM would continue its self-loathing? Maybe Linda Chavez might come sniffing around for material for her next book? OMG! Those would be terrible developments! You’re right. Let’s surrender now!
Costly from a moral standpoint? My conscience would tolerate providing illegal aliens three hots and a cot until the feds came around to police them up. It’s more than what they had in the cesspools that spawned them. Alternatively, we could bus them to New Haven, CT. I’d drive the bus for free.
Attrition through enforcement. It’ll work at the local level. It’ll work at the state level. It’ll work at the national level. All it takes is the will to stand up to apologists like yourself. At the same time, jailing the employers and harborers of illegals would be an effective complement to snatch and hold.
Did anyone notice the MJM has the wrong address of the property?
Recently, a partially ripped sign that touted the accomplishments of Hispanics in America was replaced with a new sign at 8500 Liberty St.
I don’t see that Mr. F owns ANY property in the two cities or the county? Does Ms. A or Mr. F have other last names?
Enforcement and employers getting fined will self deport these people. I think someone should sit at the 7-Eleven and take pictures of the cars pulling day workers. Report them to the proper authorities and let the chips fall where they may. It will only take two or three of these employers using the day labor sites getting caught to make them useless real quick.
What would be best is to have an undercover worker infiltrate the whole mess and prove they were paid under the table. I am surprised Dateline or some other news magazine hasn’t done that yet.
/\/\3l)ic 64,
Take a look at these shots. From Josh’s favorite 7-11 at the PKWY & Rt 1. Have you seen these yet? I think you have.(?)
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/561176744SAXMFv
Enjoy!
Doc,
I would volunteer myself for some undercover work at 7-11, but I don’t think there are too many albino-esque Hispanics. My cover would be blown before I could say “Hola”, in a very distinct (read - bad) Great Plains high-school Spanish class accent.
Even if I made it past the introductions, publicly whizzing on the side of a 7-11 seems like an awful sacrifice of dignity.
Rob Smalls - Patriot Temp said
I would dispense with the cart and prosecute/sanction employers supporting illegal immigration. Then self-deportation becomes more likely.
Absolutely the right approach! Should be combined with deportations of ***any*** illegal who comes in contact with authority and denial of all government services to illegals.
I’d be tougher than Arizona on the businesses; their cheating the system hurts their competitors who play by the rules and trashes our society. I’d fine them into oblivion ($10,000 per day per illegal(?)) and jail persistent offenders.
Here’s a recent news item, with video, from FL investigating hiring illegals: http://www.nbc-2.com/Articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=15688&z=3&p=
Another recent article concerning a charged employer in Hampton Roads: http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=137048&ran=131526&tref=po
Interesting rogues gallery from the election:
http://vote4panameno.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/many-thanks-to-all-our-volunteers/
oh yeah! very interesting link there Dolph. Looks like the whole gang showed up, I think for all that work she got like what…a total of about 160 votes? probably all of them from the hispanic community. Of course old Ricky and his chick nancy were helping out.
Did you notice that John Stienbach and Walter Tejada were also thanked?
josh said on 22 Nov 2007 at 5:14 pm:
oh yeah! very interesting link there Dolph. Looks like the whole gang showed up, I think for all that work she got like what…a total of about 160 votes? probably all of them from the hispanic community. Of course old Ricky and his chick nancy were helping out.
POR LA RAZA, POR SUPUESTA!
Did you notice Alex Juarez.? Isn’t that Ricky’s hermano?
Or that Manes? His arrival at Stonewall Middle causing a Science teacher to no longer have full time teaching job. He now back to “subbing”.
manes is a tool,
then again…so is the juarez family as well. Personally, I would remove my children from any class this manes pierre guy teaches…His credentials dont stand up to my scrutiny.
MJM’s opinion of:
Viva la libertad
http://www.manassasjm.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MJM%2FMGArticle%2FWPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353582314&path=!opinion
Regarding the sign on Liberty Street, has anyone considered that the infamous sign on Old Town is good for business? I wonder how many folks go to Old Town just to take a look… and then do a little shopping, perhaps lunch or dinner, etc. This thought ran across my mind because when I went to take a look (as a result of reading about it on this blog) I stopped by Okra’s for a Shrimp poor boy sandwich (which I highly recommend, by the way.)
I would be interested in what Old Town business people really think. Your coverage may have actually been good for Old Town… generating interest and traffic down town. (The conspiracy theorists might even think that the Old town Business association is behind the whole thing for the publicity. I wonder how far people drive to look at the infamous sign.)
I think I would leave the issue to the Old Town business community (and perhaps actual neighbors). I live nowhere near the sign so I can’t really take offense to the issue. Everyone else, MYOB (and try a Poor Boy next time you go down town to check the sign’s status).