Citizens’ thoughts and prayers are with International Paper employees after the announcement Friday that the mill will be permanently closed.
Several individuals commented on the fact that the time of year for this announcement is horrible.
“I think it’s sad right here at Christmas,” Debbie Fortune said. “My daddy and father-in-law worked there. I’m glad they aren’t out there. It’s sad to see what may happen to the town.”
Others agreed with Fortune saying this will hurt the economy and the people in Morehouse Parish.
“I think its a tragedy that the community is losing such a valuable source of income,” Terri Agugua said. “I think something should have been done to keep the mill open.”
The question of what could have been done is on the minds of several residents including can something else come in or will the mill ever come back and allow those employees a second chance. One also asked “why they would ask the state for incentives [tax breaks] and then shut down.”
These answers have yet to come, but prayers are not in short demand.
Everyone that commented on the closing said they were praying for the employees and their families. Some were also counting their own blessings.
“All we can do is pray God will bring in something to help Bastrop be what we want it to be,” Melanie White said. “I believe that Bastrop is a community of people that supports each other.”
Derrick Jones and his family from Dallas, Texas were planning on moving to Morehouse Parish. His wife happened to have gotten a job in the parish, but he is still looking. He had planned to turn in an application to the IP mill.
“That’s the field I was working in,” Jones said. “That is one job I don’t have to worry about [applying for].”
Several individuals with the Louisiana Workforce Commission have commented that jobs are available; they just have to be found.
“If we stand together as a community and help each other, it will work out,” White said.
