Is Roger Hedgecock’s Illegal Immigration “Position” Correct?
By Jim Ryan
AGC Executive Vice President 

I am fairly certain that a substantial number of AGC members listen to Roger Hedgecock’s afternoon talk show on KOGO News Radio (600 AM) on a  regular basis.  For the past year or two, Roger’s show and most other conservative talk radio shows, have been focusing on illegal immigration.  I am not going to get into a debate on the topic…..but……there does seem to be… on Roger’s show…..a general characterization that individuals of Mexican descent in the United States are taking advantage of our generosity, misusing our educational and welfare systems, and crowding our jails and prisons with criminals imported from south of the border.  Sure….Roger, and those that call in will often indicate that their remarks are focused only at those in our country illegally but come on…..day after day, month after month, year after year of verbal pounding on Mexican immigrants does leave a very negative impression of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in general!!!

Those of us in the construction industry probably have a very different view of the Hispanic population in Southern California.  We see thousands of hard working skilled craft workers of Mexican descent that are building incredibly complex bridges, freeways, schools, office buildings etc…….we see the strong family ties that these workers bring to our industry……we see the gradual elevation of these workers into supervisory, project engineering, and project management positions…..we see Mexican Americans creating new and successful construction businesses that offer solid employment opportunities.

Now….for those of you that buy into Roger’s position concerning immigration “reform” …I would like to suggest two books for you to read.

The first is….Nothing like it in the World by Steven Ambrose…this book is about the men who built the transcontinental railroad from 1863-1869

and

The Great Bridge  by David McCoullough….the story of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge.

The transcontinental railroad was built primarily by Chinese and Irish immigrants….the Brooklyn Bridge was built primarily by Irish immigrants.

My point….construction has always been an occupation of opportunity for those immigrating to the United States…..and that is probably happening again today.

By the way, Roger….I am 100% Irish and my ancestors worked on the transcontinental railroad.

So Roger….maybe you want to consider toning down the propaganda machine….what is happening in America today has happened before and many of us feel we are better off for welcoming those immigrants and their willingness to take on the tough job of building America.

We have attached to this Monday Morning Quarterback, AGC of America’s Position on Comprehensive Immigration Reform….probably written in part by those of Irish or Chinese descent!!!

 

San Diego’s Treatment of Developers 

A few weeks ago, MMQB featured the trio of AFL-CIO head Jerry Butkiewicz, Building Trades head Tom Lemmon, and IBEW head Al Shur, and their treatment of Gaylord Development in Chula Vista.  This month’s “San Diego Magazine’s” article “i On San Diego” by Tom Blair, picks up on another aspect of how our area is treating those that want to invest in San Diego when he quoted Mark Fabiani from the San Diego Chargers.

“San Diego Attorney Mike Aguirre takes the position he has the right to bring
lawsuits on behalf of the city of San Diego irrespective of whether the mayor or city
council approves those lawsuits.  So, you can spend literally four years and many tens
of millions of dollars coming up with a plan, persuading the voters at an election, going
through the planning and EIR process, getting your approvals from the mayor and council,
and then still end up being sued by the city.  Now, it doesn’t really matter what I think about
this. What matters is whether a development partner of sufficient size and resources
 would want to get involved in such a process. And we know, the answer to that is a firm
NO.  There are too many places in the country to invest and make money.  Why come to
San Diego and get involved in this circus?”

AGC agrees…..we had better stop this extreme politicizing of the development process in our area or we will be watching the rest of the country build the projects that were set to be built in San Diego…..Jerry, Tom,  Al and Mike, etc…..lets consider the long term implications of your acts.

 

AGC Day at the Races…Selling Out Fast

We only have 120 total capacity for AGC Day at the Races on Friday July 20^th beginning at 3pm. As of this morning, it was 50% sold out!!  Day at the Races has been an AGC tradition.  AGC rents a suite, provides sponsored refreshments, and a dinner is served in the suite.  Members are able to place their wagers in the suite and have a great view of the track.  This year’s sponsors are Acme Safety & Supply Co. and American Technologies, Inc. /American Restoration

This event has sold out!

 

Affiliate Day – August 6th

AGC’s 68th Affiliate Day Golf Tournament promises to be the best ever.  The event sold out 8 weeks in advance, with over 300 golfers set to enjoy the two courses at Sycuan Resort at Singing Hills.  All 36 holes will have exhibits this year.  There are four hole (tee) sponsorships remaining. We also have space for those that would like to attend the cocktail party and dinner.  A sponsorship form and banquet only registration are attached.   

 

Welcome New Members

The AGC Board of Directors and the AGC Staff would like to welcome the following new members to the Association.

Remember….” It is Good Business to do Business with an AGC Member!” 

Company	Type of Work	Contact	Phone	email
Crew, Inc.	Excavating/ Grading	Andrew Kerr	310.608.6860	andrewkerr@crewgrading.com
Floyd Nelson Jr. and Sons, Inc.	General Eng.	Sylvia Nelson	760.356.2829	San92250@aol.com
Kronos Painting, Inc,	Painting	Bob Pantazes	562.862.7986	kronospainting@msn.com
Northwestern Mutual	Insurance	Ron Elgart	619.230.8041	Ronald.elgart@nmfn.com
Paramount Painting, Inc.	Painting	Evangelos Pantazis	714.527.7897	paramountptg@aol.com
SRD Asphalt	Paving	Steven Dennis	323.255.8463	srdasphalt@aol.com

 

The latest AGC Education Catalog (July –December 2007) is now posted on our website.
CLICK HERE FOR CATALOG   

“AGC Education & Training….Building a Solid Foundation”

UPCOMING AGC CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION & SAFETY CLASSES

JUNE
Safety Training Classes
CPR/First Aid- June 27 

JULY
Safety Training Classes
Fall Protection – July 18
CPR/First Aid – July 25
Mobile Crane Certification – July 23-27 

JULY
Construction Education Training Classes
Auto CAD – July 2-3
BIM- July 10
Blueprint 102- July 10
Sure Trak – July 12       
MAP Leadership – July 12
CQM- July 17-18 (Contractor Quality Management)

 

JUNE          
June 25 – Airport Liaison Committee Meeting 11 AM at Airport
June 27 – County Liaison Meeting – 1:00 PM 

JULY          
July 11- Safety Committee – 7AM
July 12- Board Meeting – 7 AM
July 17- HR Meeting – 11 AM
July 17 – Electronic Age- 7 AM
July 20- Caltrans – 8 AM
July 26 – Meetings & Events – 12 PM

 

UPCOMING AGC EVENTS
July 20 – Day at the Races – 50% SOLD OUT
August 6 – Affiliate Day Golf Tournament – Singing Hills- SOLD OUT!
August 16- AGC Mixer – AGC outdoor patio
October 12- Midway Mixer
November 1 - Build San Diego Awards