Another mandatory furlough day for Environmental Protection Agency employees yielded another day of community service at Oronoco Bay Park in Old Town. When they were here on a past furlough day (May 24), EPA staff pointed out the need for drains at two low points in the walkway. Contacted by EPA staff this time, Eugene Loew, Park Manager, had this drain project in mind. This morning, from 9:00 am to noon, EPA employees, some City staff and three other community volunteers picked, dug, clipped roots and moved some pretty big rocks to install two drains with drainpipes that will filter the water underground. “I hope people notice the difference in the next rainstorm,” said Jennifer Hovis of EPA. Apparently the two spots typically puddle so severely that the entire walkway is blocked.
“I am a little tired of reading in news outlets about ‘no impact’ from the furloughs. Thousands of workers are out thousands of dollars,” said Martha Shimkin. A letter that Shimkin received in June from Senator Kaine revealed that Congress may not know: “In Virginia alone,” he wrote, “up to 90,000 Virginians are at risk of being furloughed.” Yet government workers have suffered this reduction in pay since April. At least Senator Kaine wrote. Congressman Moran does not even issue an automatic reply on his email site.
“You start to think no one cares until passersby offer their encouragement and thanks,” said Lou D’Amico, one of the furloughed feds. Several park users cheered, gave a thumbs-up, or shouted their thanks. A jogger using the path this morning stopped and asked if he could help. He went home, brought back a pickaxe and worked with the group all morning; it turns out he is moving from Alexandria next month after losing his job at a governmental contracting business, due to the government funding debacle, called "sequester." It is encouraging to be out in the community and serving in a concrete way. “I’m just interested in doing good work and happy to be here contributing,” said Jason Fritz, also of EPA.
