The shutdown of the federal government is hitting very close to home, as members of civilian workforce on Fort Campbell, who are federal employees, have gone without pay since September 30.
Things are getting tight for servicemembers as well, but those folks did get paid in mid-October at least—though if the government shutdown continues, its unlikely they’ll be paid in November. In the meantime, civilian employees are furloughed during shutdown and have gone without pay for just shy of a month, and at Tuesday’s meeting of the Christian Fiscal Court, Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam says that accounts for roughly 4,000 households.
He and other local leaders met with leadership on Fort Campbell on Monday to try and figure out a plan to help those families that are struggling to make ends meet while federal legislators continue to fight over a spending plan in Washington D.C.
Judge Gilliam says there will be Resource Fair held at Valor Hall in Oak Grove on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and anyone with a civilian or armed forces ID card can attend and be connected with resources to help during a time of need.
The government shutdown is nearing the one-month mark as millions of Americans are set to lose food assistance on the first of the month. Over 700-thousand federal employees remain furloughed, while essential workers continue to report for duty without pay.
In court business Tuesday, Fiscal Court magistrates approved an Emergency Management Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement, with Christian County Emergency Management Director Randy Graham clarifying that this agreement allows them more swiftly respond to other counties and cities in need to help during an emergency situation.
That agreement was approved unanimously. The Christian County Animal Regional Shelter gave their monthly report—they took in 431 animals for the month of September and adopted out 193.