As of the 24th I will be unemployed. This after nearly a year and a half as a supervisor in the computer lab at my local community center. Tonight the city council submitted a proposal to eliminate 233 temporary jobs, which included my entire department of Fresno Connect. This affects 5 community centers and will essentially close down the computer labs these kids use to do their homework, play after school games and learn applications.

I was only part time my entire tenure, working usually 3PM to 7PM during the week, occasionally a morning shift but running both a racing program on the computers and with slot cars through that lab. I have been told by the project manager to take the race track home and not bring it back, which I did this evening. She also cancelled any further such events as insurance no longer covers them.

The $8.8 million that the city of Fresno is trying to come up with is seeing the termination of a number of project that help kids find jobs, educate and keep them entertained. The money they think they are saving is only about a third of what it will cost to bring those cut programs back in a year to 18 months because of retraining and reestablishing the facilities. In the mean time gang members, drug dealers and prostitutes will fill in at the parks no longer watched by recreational leaders.

This essentially cuts my income in half. With my daughter now living with her husband I will more than likely be forced into much smaller digs by summer, and I will probably have to give up my new Ford Ranger pick up. I have a great relationship with my dealership since I used to work there for many years, and I have been talking of swapping the truck and some cash for a 2003 Focus SVT. That reduces my payment in half, my insurance almost by a third and fuel by a good amount.

Slot car racing will continue here and for the kids whenever possible. I am approaching past sponsors with pitches to hold races at their locations and hope to get the same kids at the center involved at these locations. I will have to compensate the sponsors through entry fees but the cars will still be provided whenever possible.

I may not be around the forum much for a while, one of the first things I have to do is rid myself of my expensive ISP and find something more affordable. I just got a new Rent-a-center computer, it may have to go back and I may be back on my limited resource laptop. But things aren't as tough here as they are for other people, for that I am somewhat thankful. I do have income, but it will barely cover my bills without food, utilities or luxuries like internet. Anyway, hope to see you guys here, it just may not be as frequently.

Sorry to here that, the economy really sucks hope things work out well for you.

that hurls huge Pete, sorry to hear about this. One suggestion about the racing try a senior center. they may let you run two programs at once, one for seniors and one for kids or heck let em all run together.. here is a prayer that things get better fast but judging by yesterdays baby antics in congress I wouldn't bet big bucks on it.. can I say told ya so yet?



Dave

There is always coming back "home" to Texas Pete! ;)
Coach and I would welcome you! Cost of living is less than California. And I'm sure you could find employment relatively quicker. Come on, you know you want to. LOL! Just messin with ya!

Definitely praying for ya bro!

PD2:thumbsup:

Sorry to hear that. I'm thankful everyday I'm still employed but like everyone else still employed...you can't help but wonder "for how long?".

Here's hoping things get better for you. And for everyone.

Pete,
Sorry to hear about it..
My job has been cut nearly 75% since the first of the year.. I still have it, but more waiting on the phone to ring than anything else..
If you could get out of Cali. I would consider it..the cost of living is expensive..

LG.. just received a phone call this AM from friends in S. Ind... Not good,, he's getting laid off and no jobs in site..
Later
Chris

I'm praying for ya Pete!!! Hope there's a sweet silver lining in this newest cloud you're facing!!! I've been out of work since September, and running out of benefits.. Not a job on the horizon either.. All I can do is sit and wait and hope I get a yes for once.. The only local manufacturing company just closed it's doors and another 320 joined the unemployed recently. Not too hopeful here...

UtherJoe

Coach, I offered to keep running the program but they told me that since I was not an employee I would have to rent the space to have the races. Last I checked the room we were having them in cost $125 a day. Obviously that's not going to happen. I spoke with my boss this morning, I have been told not even to volunteer, the computer labs are going to be removed before the summer.

Paul, not being cruel but the only thing left for me in Texas are gravestones and bad memories. My old HS girlfriend made me an incredible offer of housing and employment that I had to turn down. California, good or bad, is still my home. 99% of my friend base is here and I'm hoping something will come along by the end of the summer. If not, I'm sure I'll have a lot of company in this sinking boat. I can make do with mac and cheese and an old Focus pretty well.

really sorry to hear the bad turn of luck,pete.can't help but think where the kids will end up,either with their safe haven going under.i was also laid off after two years,when i thought i had at least five to ten years of steady work with benefits.sucks all over,even up here in canada.last i heard 60 00 canadians lost there jobs just in november alone.the auto workers and construction workers have been hit pretty bad.with out my employment insurance i would be workin in a 7 11 for 7.00 bucks an hour.and then going to my night job!it seems like things are getting tough all over,but there are alot worse off people out there,a small consolation,but even a leaky roof over head is a roof over head!best of luck,and i hope you can find some sponsors for those kids to keep off the street and in the slot!neil trett:thumbsup:

Pete,
Sorry to hear about the job. Don't let it get you down, I'm sure something will turn up. The bad thing will be the kids not having a chance to have your influence and effect on their lives with you efforts in the computer and slotcar programs you were offering. It will be our loss as a country. Sometimes you wonder, when Govt at any level cuts programs, do they really ever look at what they're cutting and the long term effects. :rolleyes: You're in our prayers! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: rr

Hang in there Pete! Every week I wonder if and when my turn is coming. It's a crummy way to live. Whatever happened to all those high paying, high tech jobs GW's tax cuts were supposed to create? I guess he was talking about creating jobs in India.

Not sure if Obama is going to be any different... all I can do is hope that sometime SOON, things will rebound. My feeling is, America is badly broken... and all the repairmen had their jobs outsourced. What the ruling class needs to understand is this: No more middle class, no more America.

So sorry to hear the news. Be strong brother!

Sorr to hear about this latest turn Pete. Heres to hoping that things turn around soon.

Not sure if Obama is going to be any different... all I can do is hope that sometime SOON, things will rebound. My feeling is, America is badly broken... and all the repairmen had their jobs outsourced. What the ruling class needs to understand is this: No more middle class, no more America.


And I have to agree with VJ about this....
But I don't know what is going to help....

Scott

I've been there since New Years Eve when I got my notice. It kinda sucks, but change has always been good to me. It makes you think outside of the box and reasons to improve ones self. I stand unemployed right beside you bro. I am getting to walk my son to and back from school and have the time to help him with homework and get out to the park before dark on nice days (unusual in FEBUARY) and taking full advantage of it. I didn't eat much for the first few weeks as my stomach was messed up by my mind, but I am having a occassional BBQ for lunch now and getting some needed nutrition to keep me normal. I am thinking of getting more education and becoming a teacher as most of my family has since the 1900's. I am walking 3-5 miles a day to keep my mind and body going. I need to get out and shoot my BB guns and catch a fish and find a job that needs me. Not in that order but might just have to be for now. Praying for you and all that are in this prediciment. David

Sorry to hear of your travails Pete. Life can be so unfair ! I can only say to be strong for all that you are related to & know.
It may be easy for me to say as I have a secure Civil Service Job with NYCTA-Subway but I still have friends & relatives (Who I have been helping with $$$) who are hurting. I realize also that no man is an Island & that this situation can tear at the fabric of this country.

Neal

I picked up a few substitute hours for the next few weeks, at a lower pay rate but each shift has more hours. The rec supervisor said I may be able to pick up enough to make it worth his while scheduling me. All youth sports and kids camps were cancelled, even the tech camps were cancelled. Basically everything that was free for the kids is gone.

I went and drove the Ford Racing Blue 2003 Focus SVT this evening, 48,000 miles, nice fairly new Recaro seats that fit my big butt like a new pair of Levi's. The little 2.3 liter Zetech was pretty amazing, 62 mph in second gear at 7000 rpm, I back out of it at just under 90 in 4th gear and settled into a nice 4000 rpm hum in 5th. The close ratio rack and pinion reminded me of a race car. I probably took 500 miles off the front tires doing light-to-light burn outs and got it back just as they were locking the doors. Now I just need to decide is it worth my truck and $3500 to have a lower payment and insurance.

Pete, I know you would not come back to Texas bro. Just messin with ya. We have talked about that before and I do understand...although I swore I ran into a relative (a McKay) from San Antonio....he said he had no relative living in Fresno.

Glad to hear that you got some substitute hours in the weeks coming up! Definitely be praying that you get onto the schedule as a regular. Definitely sucks that they are doing this to the kids! They obviously make decisions for a sheltered, uneducated and uninformed room or point of view and have no idea what impact this is going to make on these kids! Can you imagine what this action is saying to the kids and families that depended on these city provided centers? OUCH!

Keep us updated on the progress!

PD2:thumbsup:

Pete,
Sorry to hear about your woes. Economy SUCKS!!!
Glad you were able to pick-up some sub hours.

I am saying a prayer for the whole world...God Help Us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob...Amen...zilla

I am saying a prayer for the whole world...God Help Us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob...Amen...zilla

I am with ya BOB!
In times like this it always helps me to concentrate on my little world I live in, instead of all the press and ya da ya da ya da I hear. Trying to be positive in my own little world, family, friends etc. Oklahoma in early 80's was tough. Oil dryed up except for the stripper well stuff and all the big boys moved out of town in two years, taking all kinds of good oil jobs with them. It left downtown Tulsa almost deserted. At the same time, the press was reporting there were plentyfull jobs in Tulsa. Huge influx of people from the rust belt came down here. I noticed today on the news they were saying the same thing again about Oklahoma, because we have a low employment rate here. Been pretty static for years. In fact, last census showed we had almost the same population as ten years ago. But the desperate will come again. I lost my business at the time, went through a divorce, but I kept myself going by beating the bushes, through family, friends, and contacts I had made over the years. It can be done if I can do it:)