I would like to respectfully take exception to a few of [columnist] Rick Badie's recent comments surrounding two of Gwinnett's most serious and closely intertwined problems of the last several years. ("Politicians use fixation on illegal immigration," Gwinnett News, June 8).

Illegal immigration has long been a very serious issue for many of us, and I have the worn paint brushes from covering up graffiti and even spent bullets collected from neighbor's houses to prove it.

In short, illegal immigrants have already broken several laws in order to get to my neighborhood, and I can attest that their penchant for lawbreaking did not stop at our borders. We have had murders, home invasions and burglaries galore, but we have exercised our choice to stay put and fight for improvement rather than to run elsewhere. Many of those who have tried to run have discovered that they could not hide, as this problem eventually finds us all in one way or another.

We live surrounded by this every day, and we are crystal clear regarding the primary source —- yes, illegal immigrants. We have also remained well aware of those officials (both in public office and aspiring to be) who truly want to help us as opposed to merely helping themselves into elected positions.

I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Badie that citizens tend to hang on for dear life to out-of-context, misleading quotes and outrageous vote-seeking ideas expressed by politicians. The majority of us find it easier to accept the rhetoric and half-truths fed to us than to expend the effort to separate fact from fantasy. THAT is the root of the problem. Many politicians routinely take advantage of citizen apathy and lack of accurate information to attain elected office, after which the amnesia immediately sets in. They do this simply because it's the easiest route for them, and the voting public has allowed them to do it.

As one of only FIVE "just plain citizens" present at the Board of Commissioner's April public meeting in which the 287(g) program was officially kicked off, for example, I again observed the stark difference between reality and absurd political fiction.

(Note that the purpose of the 287(g) program is to identify and hand over illegal immigrants to the federal authorities for deportation.)

Among other creative claims, Commission Chairman Charles Bannister has since suggested his sole sponsorship of the program, but at that meeting we witnessed the presentation and passage of the crucial funding measure via the efforts of Commissioner Lorraine Green.

Incidentally, the vote appeared to be unanimous, including Mr. Bannister's own vote, which he cast for Ms. Green's proposal.

I am also fully aware of the positive impact that has already been felt upon my community as the mere word of this program has spread. I would suggest Badie visit some of the local strip malls, which have begun to see a reduction in the presence of predominantly illegal immigrant clientele. They are slowly being replaced by the return of old customers to those areas.

The point here is that as the July 15 primary approaches, we should all make an effort to separate reality from good ol' boy business as usual, do-nothing politics. A decisive rejection of the "same old" would be a crucial turning point for all of us in Gwinnett. Yes, Mr. Badie, a few of us have remained intently aware of what's going on, and we have discovered that with some effort both the doers and the big talkers among the candidates can be individually identified. Illegal immigration is among the top items on the list of Gwinnett issues that need to enjoy less discussion and see continued real progress, with the doers put in office and the talkers kicked to the curb.

> Paul Allen lives in Norcross.