Dear Editor,

I am saddened to hear the news that the Military Park has lost 32% of its personnel.

Thank you for your article about the layoffs, however I think your article is dreadfully short. There is much more to this story than DOGE cutting the government into shreds while “we the people” are not allowed to comment on its harmful impact on our very own communities.

The Military Park is the essence of Vicksburg. It is the number one tourist attraction in the State of Mississippi. For every $1 spent for operations of the park there is a $10 return to our local economy (that is a 2019 estimate). It (tourism) accounts for over 19% of all jobs in Warren County.

An attack on the Park is an attack on all of Vicksburg. I have little doubt that the new hires who were let-go were essential to the $100 million (funded with private donations by the non-Profit “Friends of the Park”) renovation of the visitor center that is slated for this year.

You see this is a very big story and it needs much more local scrutiny because the laying off of our Park employees has an infinitesimal impact on the federal budget, yet a HUGE negative impact on the economies of Vicksburg, Warren County, and our State of Mississippi.

Please, please, please, contact Ms. Bess Averett, director@friendsofvicksburg.org, for a detailed assessment of the negative impact that Mr. Musk has carelessly dealt our community. And please, please, please, continue this story in the Vicksburg Post.

Thank you,

Eileen Glynn

Warren County Resident since 1984