With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
After San Bernardino attack, focusing comes hard on first day back at work
Monday was the first day back at work for some county elections office workers after the deadly shooting spree in San Bernardino. The flags were flown at half-staff.
(
Mary Plummer/KPCC
)
Listen
0:43
After San Bernardino attack, focusing comes hard on first day back at work
Monday was the first day back at work for some government workers in San Bernardino, five days after the shooting spree that left 14 victims dead.
At the county elections office on East Rialto Avenue, Customer Relations Coordinator Yvonne Harmon was back at work, but her mind kept wandering, she said.
"I think that this will probably be the hardest day for me to get through," Harmon said.
She knew two people killed in Wednesday’s mass murder, including former coworker Aurora Godoy who once worked in the county registrar's office.
Sponsored message
The news of Godoy's death hit Harmon so hard, she said she had to pull her car over — and just sit.
But Harmon said in the days since the shooting, she’s pushed away her fears and is determined to stay strong.
"If it’s not my time to go, it’s not my time to go. And I’m not going to live my life worried about what somebody else may do," she said.
The detail that sticks most with Harmon is Godoy's age. She was just 26 and leaves behind a husband and young son.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
