Millstone reader moved by story of the Cortes family’s plight

I have been a longtime reader and never has any one article impacted me as much as "Dreams of Success Die With Immigrant" (Aug. 28).

First and foremost, my heart goes out to the Cortes and Santos family. I can’t imagine how anyone could read this article and not be moved. I pray that people like myself, who think we had a bad day, not only recognize how well off we are relative to the millions of Cortes-type stories that take place every day in our world, but also recognize that there are numerous immigrants doing hard work, for little pay, all around us.

The article speaks about how workers stand in Freehold Borough looking for work. Let it be known that many of these people do a hard day’s work and either get stiffed or shortchanged when their work is done. They have little or no opportunity to reverse this plight due to their immigration status, lack of money or plain old fear.

One of the worst crises here in New Jersey is the lack of affordable housing for the working poor. These are people we want to pay low-scale wages for cutting our lawns, picking our vegetables, etc., but they can’t live within our neighborhoods and many times must travel great distances to and from work. Look and see how local diners have installed bike racks for their workers. See how many of these workers are riding bicycles the same time you feel your car hasn’t warmed up enough on a cold winter morning.

I am extremely grateful for your bringing this story to my attention. I don’t know what industry awards go to such a local story, but this reporter should get one. I only hope I don’t soon forget it and the message I know God wants us to come away with from reading it.

Peter Grandich

Perrineville