LAYOFFS AT LBCC HEARTFELT

Because of lay-offs at The Commons cafeteria at Linn Benton Community College several faces of people we have come to know will no longer be seen.

After 23 years of service Janet Jones is one of those faces at LBCC cafeteria. With a smile on her face and tears in her eyes Jones checks out each patron at the cash register.

“I’m worried I could lose 50 percent of my PERS retirement, approximately $50,000 if I'm unable to find another job with PERS benefits. There is a stimulus package available to help with 65 percent of the monthly payment for my family health insurance for nine months. My cost is $365.60 and my unemployment doesn’t kick in until September."

Jones is one of several employees impacted by cutbacks in the college's funding. Some of them will be finishing their service at the end of spring term.

"I have given my heart to this program.” Jones said. “ I am not the only person you should be talking to, there are several other people that are being laid off and having a more difficult time, like Ramone. He has seven children.”

How difficult it must be to still have your job and watch your co-workers lose their jobs. “Nobody feels safe. I feel bad about the loss; it’s kind of like a sudden death,” Pam Adams said.

Ramone Pena said, “I was looking forward to starting my 11th year at LBCC. I had a management position and I was shocked when I found out I am going to be laid off at the end of this term. I thought at the minimum another job would be offered.”

"I feel numb. I just want to be strong for my kids. I have seven children, six adopted and one child we have legal guardianship. They are between the ages of four and 11 years old and one is a special needs child. I am fortunate to have the support of my wife, a natural grandparent of one of the adopted kids that helps as well as an aunt and uncle that watch our special needs child once a week to give us a break,” said Pena.

“Maybe I’ll go back to school. I really do not know what is available out there yet. We are supposed to get some information to help us from the school in a couple of weeks. I cannot give up, I have to stay strong for my kids,” said Pena.

LBCC has an expected $2.6 million in shortfalls, said Marlene Propst, director of College Advancement.

Anyone looking for more information to understand what LBCC is being faced with financially can visit the LBCC Web site. (Click on college address video.)