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Local governments look for volunteers

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    Cutbacks forcing cities lay off needed employees

  • Duration 2:30
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Cutbacks are forcing cities across the country to lay off needed employees.

But now some local governments are finding out you know what volunteers.

Are willing to pick up the slack.

Of some of those laid off workers Dan Springer is live in Seattle with more on this interesting development aid and.

-- Kmart the other ask any parent there is nothing like free labor.

And we're seeing as it is across America the free labor is keeping city parks open.

They're keeping city services going and a whole lot more take Yakima Washington for example or volunteers practically do at all.

They fix up homes that are used for low income housing they cut the grass at parks and they paint over graffiti.

They also keep the doors open at a senior center and -- city can only afford to pay three workers so.

Volunteers man the front desk -- answer phones prepare and serve the food.

And clean the place city officials say it is citizens taking ownership of their community.

Were all government we all have to take an active role in our government the only time.

We're not taking an active role -- -- for sitting on the couch and actually nothing.

Now Archie Manning says the secret to his success is he is not afraid to bag for free labor and he usually gets it.

Mean.

-- says some of those folks are happy but not everybody is happy about this I would imagine Dan.

Well you can imagine -- it's the city you wouldn't -- the workers who -- are the people who represented city workers are saying that it's actually taking work away from their members and costing them money in Redlands California.

They laid off twenty police officers while they feel that real quickly -- volunteers they now have almost 300 volunteer officers compared to 75 paid cops.

And the volunteers make the -- and everything.

In Seattle the union representing city parks employees is pushing back it is refusing to allow volunteers to drive work trucks or use power tools.

We have to police.

Because.

The work is being eroded naturally and these people that are working have.

Lives and jobs and families and they pay taxes in the community and it's the city's jobs program.

But how well is it working -- US how about 63 million Americans last year volunteering eight.

Billion followers saving cities get this off 173.

Billion dollars the key here is for cities to tap into that free labor without taking off their.

-- -- Very very interesting Dan thank you -- lots -- for.

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