Mayor Coral Evans
“A deal to reopen the government for three weeks is not the solution our community or our country needs. After 34 days of shutdown, the negative impacts to our community are undeniable. The federal government withholding paychecks from furloughed and non-furloughed employees alike has highlighted the struggles involved in living in a high-cost area. Many government employees and contractors are unlikely to be compensated at all for the 34 days of pay they have missed (so far). Local businesses have suffered as many government employees struggle to pay their rent, much less go out to eat with their families or follow through with plans of home improvement.
The closure of major tourist attractions and the limited staffing at our national parks take a major toll on Flagstaff’s economy. Federal agency employees in Flagstaff include, but are not limited to, the Forest Service, the United States Geological Survey, the Army Corps of Engineers, Housing and Urban Development, the Internal Revenue Service, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration. Forest maintenance projects have been inhibited or halted altogether as many local Forest Service employees are furloughed. Forest maintenance is incredibly important as fire season approaches, and it is vital that we focus on how best to mitigate this inactivity.
As is typical of Flagstaff residents, we step up and help each other out. I want to thank all of the businesses and organizations that have been helpful in easing the impacts of the shutdown to our residents. We need a long-term deal. A continued or additional shutdown means that our community, our family members, friends and neighbors, our environment, our economy and our quality of life pay the price.”