Fliers Will Spell Out Rules to Day Laborers

Frustrated that day laborers who solicit work from passing drivers in downtown Moorpark are breaking city rules, the City Council has agreed to print fliers explaining those rules to the workers.

The fliers, written in English and Spanish, will spell out details of a city ordinance that outlaws a common practice of the laborers--namely, darting into traffic to ask motorists for work.

The laborers meet each morning in the parking lot of a High Street convenience store and wait for people with piecemeal work--usually construction, agricultural or landscaping jobs--to drive by. Local business owners have complained that the men, often numbering 60 or more, scare off customers.

At their Wednesday meeting, council members also placed some of the blame for the continuing situation on the convenience store manager, Mike Abdul, who they said has vacillated between wanting the men removed and wanting them to stay and frequent his store. Council members said a meeting between Abdul and nearby business owners could show him the problems the situation has created for his neighbors.

“I think it would really be an eye-opening experience for Mr. Abdul to see it from the other side of the fence,” said Councilman John Wozniak.