By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-855140.mp3
Dallas, TX –
Pink slips were handed out by the hundreds at Dallas City Hall today. 840 city workers are losing their jobs as the city fills a 190 million dollar budget shortfall. KERA's BJ Austin says one longtime employee calls it devastating.
After 19 years with the city - most of that as a 9-1-1 operator, a police dispatcher and a police report representative, Karen Veloz is out of a job.
Navigate the recession with KERA! Get tips on avoiding foreclosure, access job resources and more at kera.org/economy.
Veloz: I felt like my heart collapsed. It was hard. It was hard to contain myself. I had to control my emotions and everything because you just never imagine. I thought the city was there to help me and be there for me, especially after giving them so many years of my life. Apparently, it didn't mean anything.
Veloz says she was in her current position about two years, and she figures that's what put her on the hit list. 165 civilian police employees are losing their jobs. She says her father worked for the city and encouraged her to apply. She says it's like a family, and leaving it is devastating. Veloz also says she's very worried about her prospects. She says she's in her 50's and starting over.