Many (illegal)immigrants build new lives in 'Little Mexico', (GA)

DALTON, Ga. -- Known by many as "Mexico Chiquito," or Little Mexico, the Whispering Pines mobile home neighborhood often is the first place immigrants live when they arrive in the United States, according to residents.

"I found this place because some cousins were living here already," Manuel Mendiola, a nine-year resident, said in Spanish. "But it's not the same as how one would live in Mexico; over there one would have his own house."

Saul Peinado, 29, who's been living in the neighborhood just outside Dalton for 19 years, said when he arrived there weren't many Hispanic residents, but eventually that started to change.

"When we first got here, there were only two Hispanic families including us, but then as a white family would move out, a Hispanic family would move in," he said in Spanish.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics made up about 40 percent of the population in Dalton and nearly 30 percent of the population of Whitfield County in 2000. At Whispering Pines, which has about 150 households, many residents are drawn by friends or family who already have made a home in the neighborhood.

"Most people come here first because a relative or friend already lives here, but most of us would want to have something better in the future, maybe out own home," resident José Arredondo said in Spanish.

Residents pay $240 per month for a lot and between $400 and $500 a month for the mobile home, depending on whether they're renting or buying, Mr. Mendiola said.

About 2:30 p.m. every weekday, two school buses drive through Bay Drive and drop off neighborhood children. After school, children stay outside to play while their parents talk to each other on their porches. Mexican music plays from inside most of the houses, and during the day clothes hang outside to dry next to a few trampolines.

Gabriela González, who lived in the neighborhood for five years, said in Spanish that one of the good things about "Mexico Chiquito" is that there are a lot of friends for children to play with, but they have to be careful about cars driving too fast.

Some residents said there was an accident earlier this year in which a car ran over a 2-year-old girl, prompting additional speed bumps on the main street. Although residents said they consider the neighborhood calm, they complain about loud music, especially on the weekends.

Judy Woods, the only non-Hispanic resident on the street, has lived in Whispering Pines for 29 years. She said that during the weekend the street is "seriously like an interstate."

"My neighbors are great, no one bothers me, but it's just the loud music," she said.

There have been 54 calls made to the police this year from the neighborhood, the majority complaints about loud music and 911 hang-up calls, said Lt. Nancy Chadwick of the Whitfield County Sheriff's Department.

Some residents say "Mexico Chiquito" feels just like home since most people speak Spanish, and in some houses there are even signs advertising "atole y buñuelos," a Mexican drink and dessert, just like in Mexico.

Maybe I wasn't paying attention to George W. Bush's campaign pronouncements.

When he was elected, I was delighted.

I voted for him twice.

However, he has increased the size, reach, power, and appetite of the Frankenstein's monster known as the Federal Government. He increased entitlements. He has spent more of the people's money than any president since Lyndon Johnson. He has refused to enforce U.S. immigration laws--in violation of his duty to uphold U.S. law. He has refused to halt further illegal immigration and to fortify the U.S. borders. And, along with the Republican Congress, he handed Congress to the Democrats on a silver platter in the 2006 election. That's plenty of reason for disillusionment--and to denounce him, which I definitely do;

However, his tax cuts were very good for the economy, and he appointed good judges.

Furthermore, Al Gore or John Kerry would have been FAR WORSE.

I am furious with Bush and the Republicans in Congress who are responsible for the transgressions listed above;

However, I intend to campaign for the Republicans as though my life depended upon it--which it probably does!

As bad and as incompetent as the Republicans are--the Democrats are lightyears worse!

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