"I was one of the 3,400 probationary employees terminated from the Forest Service last week," said Kyle Warden of Leavenworth, in speaking to the Chelan County Commissioners on Monday.
Warden was one of about a dozen Chelan County residents who appeared before the commissioners to suggest passage of a county resolution recognizing the impacts of the federal government cost cutting initiative.
"We're not here to seek personal pity for losing our jobs," Warden added. "We were all on the Wenatchee River Ranger District, wildland fire, certified and qualified and trained and we held many other fire related qualifications that were vital to support wildfire operations."
"Which federal changes are most likely to cause significantly more risk for us in Chelan County?" Lee Alley asked the commissioners.
"The recent actions to reduce the local federal workforce are causing both short and long term harm for both residents and visitors to Chelan County," said Alicia Meyer of Wenatchee. "This will negatively impact the outdoor recreation economy for many businesses in our county. I believe most reasonable people would support thoughtful, deliberate federal government reform."
The commissioners intend to read the resolution proposed by the citizens before taking action and may draft a letter to the Washington State Congressional delegation addressing the impacts of federal reforms.
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