Copy of letter to Mr. Lyman emailed directly to him. Dear Mr. Lyman I just returned to Virginia from my fourth trip this year (so far) to Oswego County. As always, I stopped in at the Records Center to continue my historical research on Oswego County before 1850, and to take advantage of Barbara Dix's tremendous knowledge of Oswego County History. I was dismayed to be informed that her position will no longer continue and that there will be other cutbacks in the Records Center which I depend upon so much for my research. Perhaps you are unaware of how much the Records Center is used and how valuable an asset Barbara is. When I was there on Thursday (8/7), the room was nearly full, although I was able to find a seat. I was not the only person there from Virginia, two ladies were also visiting from Ophelia, VA, and there was another individual from South Carolina. All out-of-staters were visiting Oswego County solely to do family and other historical research. There was no other reason for any of them to visit Oswego County, just as there is no reason for me to visit if I am stymied in obtaining records for my research. The last time I was there, two people were there from California, and they were delighted at all the information available to them. Of course, they knew about Barbara and the Records Center before they decided to visit. I too work for a government organization, and I am familiar with budget cuts. Rational budget cuts should focus on short term costs - travel, training, the typically excess communication functions. They should not eliminate the backbone of a particular organizational group. One can replace a vehicle, outdated computers, even redundant personnel (e.g., clerk) who do not have highly specialized qualifications, once finances are better - this is not a permanent recession/depression. But once one eliminates a specialist, the nerve center of a legitimate county function, then one loses all that has been built up over the years. Even if another historian is hired when times get better, there will be a great loss in knowledge of what has been done and what needs to be done just for the Records alone, let alone personal knowledge of Oswego history. Barbara has personally overseen the progress that has been made. One cannot afford to lose, nor can one even come close to replacing, someone as valuable as Barbara. I know decisions have been made. I also know they can be changed. I urge you to reconsider and keep Barbara Dix in the position of County Historian. Larry Turner, Ph.D. Woodbridge, VA