Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

I mentioned once before that I had some extensive landscaping done a few months ago. The landscape architect was American and the crew leader was as well. But all the other employees were Mexican and from what I could hear, none spoke a word of English. Having said that, I've never seen a crew work so hard, producing such high quality work. I commented at the time that I'd be surprised if any Americans would work that hard for whatever they were paid. (Yes, that is an assumption!)

Last week I had crown molding installed. The contractor and master carpenter was American. But the entire rest of the six-man crew were Mexican. Four of them were painters and drove 90-minutes from Orlando every day for the jobs booked by the contractor in The Villages. They were in and out in one day, installing molding in every single room in my house. From what I can see, the job is perfect. The painters finished last and swept and vacuumed their way out of the house as they left. Our house was as clean as when they started six hours earlier. Would a crew of six Americans work that hard, producing that level of quality? Never in my life have I had a totally American crew do so for any kind of home improvement project. So I assume it isn't likely here in The Villages either.

All I know is that I am very pleased that there are workers serving The Villages who work so hard and produce such high quality. And honestly, I don't much care whether they have a green card or not. If I had the choice of hiring Americans who would produce the same result for the same price, of course I'd opt to hire them. But guess what? I never have that choice, even though the unemployment rate is well over the national average just outside The Villages. Why don't local contractors hire the unemployed Americans that are obviously available? That answer is pretty obvious.