Furlough days attached to Thanksgiving weekend

UNDATED - The City of Gainesville observes its first mandated furlough day Wednesday, and three other local governments in the area will be taking extra days off around Thanksgiving this year, as well.

Just a few weeks ago, the Gainesville City Council approved mandatory eight-hour furloughs once a month.

Habersham, Jackson and Hall counties have had such plans in place for several months now. Offices in Jackson and Hall, like Gainesville, will be closed Wednesday. Habersham offices will be closed next Monday.

All are among many local and state governments across the country that have turned to mandatory unpaid days off as a way of reducing expenses in light of declining revenues brought on by the recession.