C.O. federal workers thank public for support during shutdown
More than 300 employees with the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests and the Prineville District BLM in Central Oregon are thanking the public for its support while they were recently furloughed during the lapse in federal funding that caused a partial government shutdown .
“While it was a stressful and insecure time for employees, we want to send out our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the many people and businesses in our local communities who stepped up to help us endure the uncertainty of when the government would reopen,” the agencies said in a joint statement Friday.
They said c ountless local restaurants offered free meals and local humane societies sent out word that free pet food was available. Our local banks and credit unions were quick to set up special-interest rate or free short-term loans to help federal workers cover rent, mortgages, car payments and other immediate expenses. Local organizations offered gift cards for groceries, and many businesses offered free entrance to activities and exhibits.
“The support seemed to be everywhere,” acknowledged Peter DeJongh, a new wildlife biologist with the Prineville BLM. “I was genuinely surprised and incredibly grateful that members of our community would go out of their way to offer to cover my bill at a restaurant because they overheard me say I was furloughed.”
In addition to the support for employees, we can’t express enough gratitude for our partners and the members of the public who stepped in to fill gaps. We know many of you picked up trash, kept an eye on our trailheads and facilities, and even cleaned our restrooms.
We are still in the process of assessing the shutdown’s impacts, and we know we won’t be able to “make up” five weeks’ worth of work, but we will do our best to continue to deliver the services and the important work so many expect. We are back and ready to serve our communities and the public, and we are very appreciative to know that when the need arises, our communities, our local businesses and the public are here for us, too.
