We're from Hoover and Here to Help You

I've been following this story in The Birmingham News and there's something about it that troubles me.

The Hoover City Council decided to kick out of a city building an organization that was providing social services to hispanics in the Hoover area. The majority of council members who voted for ending the contract with Catholic Family Services cited only "complaints", but the news article didn't specify what the complaints are. However, what was interesting to me, by omission, is that the city did not seem to be (openly) alleging that the day laborers are illegal aliens.

Of course, that's the subtext to all this. Why else would the city want to break up up the efforts of these people to find work?

There does not appear to be any reports of concerns about public safety. In fact, it seems that previous members of the city council voted to grant the contract to Catholic Family Services because there were public safety concerns about the way day labroers used to get hook up with employers.

Unless there are valid complaints about public safety or illegal activity, the City of Hoover should have left well enough alone. If they suspect illegal activity, they should bring in the proper authorities to investigate and prosecute.

As it stands, it appears that the city was taking punitive action against a group of people merely because they are hispanics.

In today's climate, can you imagine political leaders making a choice that attempts to frustrate individuals seeking an honest day's work?