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Jul 21, 2009 5:57 pm US/Central
Some Dallas Workers Getting Early Layoff Warning
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Kate Singleton has made preserving Dallas her passion. She's the Chief Historic Preservation Planner for the City of Dallas. Her job is to save neighborhoods, before they deteriorate. But employee layoffs are looming, and Singleton was given advance warning that she
will be one of about 800 people who will lose their jobs.
"It was difficult because I thought we were doing quite well," explained Singleton. "We were accomplishing quite a bit and getting conservation districts done."
Singleton's supervisor notified her in March that her position would be eliminated. Since then she has been looking for full-time employment elsewhere, but has yet to land a new job. "I have a couple of consulting jobs coming up but nothing firm, as far as full-time," said Singleton.
Singleton says she must limit her search to the Dallas area because her daughter is about to be a senior at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.
Dallas City Manager Mary Suhm will present next year's fiscal budget to the city council on August 10th. All employees who will lose their jobs due to the reduction in workforce will be officially notified by August 14th. Next year's budget becomes effective October 1st, of this year.
Singleton says she was sad when first notified that she would be laid off. But she continues her work on the fifth floor of Dallas City Hall and has taken on a more light-hearted approach. Posted on her bulletin board at work is the number 11. If she does not find a new position before September 30th, there are 11 weeks left before she must leave her job with the city.
"I'd rather laugh about it and be positive," she said.
Singleton is optimistic about her future, and is glad she has been given several months to try to find new employment. "I feel I'm lucky because I know and I appreciate that from my boss. I really do appreciate that."
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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