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SIGN OF THE TIMES: MICHIGAN COUNTY VETS'
SERVICES MAY
FALL VICTIM TO ECONOMY -- Livingston County
officials
consider the elimination of the vets' services
office by not filling
openings and merging its functions with other
departments.
All "Sign of the Times" articles are here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/signofthetimes.htm
Story here...
http://www.freep.com/article/2009
0208/NEWS06/902080421/1008/NEWS/Services
+for+Livingston+County+veterans+may+
fall+victim+to+economy
Story below:
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-------------------------
Services for Livingston County veterans may fall
victim to economy
BY SHARON GITTLEMAN
FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER
Is the short-term future of veterans services in Livingston County in
jeopardy?
That's the fear of Bob Heinel, retiring Department of Veterans Affairs
director.
Financial troubles have spurred the Livingston County Board of
Commissioners to consider what would be the elimination of the
three-person office by not filling openings and merging its functions with
other departments, although the department would likely continue in some
lesser form.
Heinel wants the county to maintain its level of veterans services, though
he acknowledges the county faces economic troubles.
"Yeah, we're in a crisis now, but veterans should be up there on a
priority list," Heinel said. "Times are difficult, but times were
difficult for our veterans on the beaches of Normandy and the jungles in
Vietnam. They are tough on the deserts and mountains of Afghanistan. They
were there for us, and we need to be there for them."
The county's health and human services commission is to consider the
future of veterans services at a meeting Feb. 23 before any final
decisions are made by the Board of Commissioners, Heinel said.
Two of the three veterans affairs administrators plan to retire this year.
"The board wants us to look at options and alternatives to hiring new
people," Livingston County Administrator Bob Block said.
The failing economy is at the root of the problem.
Declining home values and a mountain of foreclosures have reduced the
funds available for expenses, Block said.
"We are looking at basic needs," he said.
Sixty percent of the county's $70-million budget comes from property
taxes, with the remainder culled from service fees, interest, millages and
grant revenues, Block said.
Heinel said relying on other departments for veterans services would lead
to problems.
"If we had a part-time director coming in two days a week, what if there
was a crisis?" Heinel said.
The veterans department helps ex-service personnel file for disability and
pension benefits, receive educational and vocational rehabilitation, learn
more about home loans and apply for emergency funds.
An estimated 40,000 veterans and family members are eligible for services
in the county. The veterans department made 5,397 contacts last year to
help former service members.
-------------------------
posted by Larry Scott
Founder and Editor
VA Watchdog dot Org
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