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New day labor site seen
In broken English, Raymundo said the men all live in the neighborhood around the library and stand at the spot to get work."We do different stuff - hardwood floors, painting, construction," Raymundo said.
A group used to gather across St. Germain Drive from the library and moved their gathering spot several months ago, according to Lois Kirkpatrick, spokeswoman for the Fairfax County Public Library.
Now, between 15 and 30 men, apparently day laborers, stand next to the library, on the sidewalk or on grass, between 6 and 10 a.m. on most mornings.
Aside from a complaint made last week to the county's health department about trash and reports from library staff of people urinating in public, Fairfax County does not know of any illegal activity or hiring at the location, said Brian Worthy, a spokesman for the county.
"People gathering in front of the library isn't illegal," Worthy said.
There are no county or state laws that prohibit day-labor-type activities.
Library staff have simply "invited them in to use the public restroom" when they have observed public urination, Worthy said.
"They haven't bothered anyone. They just stand there," Kirkpatrick said.
A group of men also meets across Machen Road from the Centreville library at the In and Out convenience store.
"They meet here for guys to pick them up for work," said Sahng Yi, the convenience store manager. "I don't mind. They need to find a job."
Day laborers have been a concern in other areas of Fairfax County, most notably Herndon.
Before Herndon established a controversial official center for its day laborers, which number more than 125, laborers were informally gathering at a 7-Eleven, generating complaints from residents about catcalls, trash and public urination. Now, a number of Herndon residents are concerned that illegal immigrants may be using the official hiring center.
Worthy said that county officials will continue to monitor the situation at the Centreville library but that it will be up to the county library to report any illegal activity.
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