January 30th, 2025

We need to support federal workers

   The Linn Benton Neighborhood Leader Team sent out following message in a Jan. 29 email:.
  Shortly after the election we talked about how there would be a moment when they come for one of us, they come for all of us. This is that moment.
   We need to support federal workers.
   Federal civil servants are scrambling to keep critical programs running in the wake of the chaotic freeze/then freeze of the freeze/and now recission of the freeze (what’s next?) on federal grants and loans. They’ve also all received a “no-questions-asked” number to call to turn in their colleagues who are committing the cardinal sins of working on equity or green energy issues. And now they are reckoning with the Hobson’s Choice of leaving their jobs now, with a so-called “buy out”, or staying on to do the people’s work and potentially being fired. They have been given just over a week to make this monumental decision.
    This hurts all of us. Here are just a few ways each of us and our neighbors rely on federal employees:

• That weather app on your phone? That is fueled by data collected, analyzed, modeled, and distributed by federal employees. That same data and analytical work is essential to farmers, wildland firefighters, road maintenance crews, and more.
• Speaking of fire… Contrary to what Rep. Boshart Davis would have us believe, the biggest wildfire in Oregon in 2024 was a range fire. The leading research on rangeland fire is headquartered in Corvallis, and conducted by federal employees in partnership with OSU scientists funded by federal grants.
• Our local food banks feed seniors, children, and adults who cannot otherwise make ends meet. Much of the food they provide, the rent they pay, and the refrigerators and freezers they rely on are funded by federal grants. Federal employees administer those grants.
• The City of Albany's Economic Opportunity Grant Program provides grants up to $10,000 to eligible small businesses for the purpose of creating jobs for low- income Albany residents. This program is funded by a federal grant, and that federal grant is administered by federal workers.
• Veterans’ health, Social Security, Medicare, food safety, clean water regulations, clean air regulations, and so much more are only possible because of the work of federal employees and their partners funded by federal grants.

   Here's what we can do:
   Reach out: Many of us know people who work for the federal government, and people whose work is funded by the federal government. Reach out. Offer support. Offer an understanding ear. Ask how you can help.
   Write a letter to the editor of the Democrat Herald – Gazette Times. Voice your support for federal workers and the federal grant programs many of them administer. Educate readers about one or two ways they are personally being impacted. Specifically ask how Shelly Boshart Davis and Jaimie Cate plan to protect ranchers, farmers, small businesses, wildland fire fighters, veterans, seniors, etc. from Trump’s reckless and senseless attacks on the federal workers and funding we all pay for and depend on.
   Call your representatives: Voice your unwavering support for them standing up for our American values in every way possible. Share your concerns with your state and federal representatives. Ask them how they are going to support federal workers to keep these vital services in place and functioning.
   Continue networking: As we all know, the purpose of these cruel and chaotic actions are to make us give up. Supporting and encouraging each other (including to take a break when needed!) will keep us all strong.
   Let’s show these would-be emperors how true patriots act!
   Thanks to you all, and see you on Feb. 9 at the next Neighborhood Leader Zoom meeting.
   — Carrie, Steve, Linda, Mark, Carol, Brenda, Susan & Nancy
​   Linn Benton Neighborhood Leader Team