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Commission continues fight for two VSO in county
Escambia County commissioners are continuing their effort to keep both veterans service offices open in the county.
Following a lengthy discussion at last Friday’s commission workshop, Commissioner Larry White suggested asking for a delay in closing the Brewton office (as recently recommended by the state) and requesting an opportunity to address the State Board of Veterans Affairs on July 2.
At Monday’s regular meeting, the commission adopted the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs has indicated an intention to consolidate the Brewton Veterans Affairs Office into the Atmore Veterans Affairs Office effective June 24, 2010; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs has not demonstrated any cost savings to the Department as a result of this consolidation; and
WHEREAS, the Members of the Escambia County Commission strongly object to this reduction in services to the veterans of Escambia County; and
WHEREAS, such a move would cause considerable hardship on the aging veterans of Escambia County and surrounding areas; and
WHEREAS, the Commission supports keeping both offices open to serve the veterans of Escambia County and the surrounding area.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Escambia County Commission that the Chairman is hereby authorized to request an extension in the proposed consolidation date until July 31 and to request an opportunity for representatives to address the State Board of Veterans Affairs at their next meeting on July 2, 2010 in Montgomery.
The letters
Two letters have been sent to the commission from the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA).
At Friday’s workshop, Commissioner Brandon Smith talked about the letters.
“There has been a little confusion about the two letters,” he said. “The commission received a letter six weeks ago saying to close the Atmore office. Then they sent a letter saying keep the Atmore office open. The reason we have two letters is the state said they would close Atmore, but when they kept digging up facts, they wanted to keep the office open with the largest need. I found out 40 percent more veterans are at the other end [Atmore] of the county …
“It has always been this board’s desire to keep both offices open. I don’t want to see any of our veterans put out. I would like to keep both offices open if possible … I said from day one, I’d be glad to try to keep both offices open. They only thing I ask, here on this board … if we go to battle with the state and we do our best to keep both offices open, and if we have to close one, I ask the commission to honor the second letter. We didn’t want the burden of having to tell the veterans we’re closing an office. We talked to the [state]. The state feels that Atmore is the better location.
“I’m asking the commission that we honor the second letter … I want to see us keep both offices open, but when we exhaust all that, I want to keep Atmore open.”
On Wednesday, April 14, Commissioner Brandon Smith and Commissioner Larry White went to Montgomery to talk with ADVA Commissioner Marsh. From that meeting came the letter recommending the Atmore office remain open rather than the Brewton office.
The veterans
About 20 veterans, most of them from the Atmore area, attended Friday’s workshop to support keeping the Atmore office open.
Lavan Martin, commander of the Atmore VFW Post, said, “I speak for veterans. I want you to think of veterans. Take politics out of it … Logically, the best place to put that office is in Atmore.”
Brewton veteran Joe Dozier heads up the American Legion post in Brewton.
“I hate when things are passed down to us to make a decision,” he said. “That’s what is happening here. You’re going to make somebody happy and somebody mad.”
Dozier said this is nothing new with the state and veterans service offices.
“This has been going on for 20 years,” he said. “They’re not replacing people. I’d like to see both offices stay open if possible.”
Commission Chairman David Stokes asked Dozier a couple of questions.
To Stokes’ question about the number of veterans served at each office, Dozier replied he thought an equal number.
In reference to Rita Gatwood who has worked at the Brewton veterans service office for 30 years, Stokes said to Dozier, “I know Rita wants to stay here. Do you think Miss Rita does a good job?”
Dozier replied she’s 90 percent of the veterans office in Brewton.
Aubrey Stanley, commander of the Atmore American Legion said, “I’m from Atmore. I want Atmore open. Joe’s from Brewton. He wants Brewton open. The whole thing consists of veterans. Get them number 1.”
Veteran Shug Thornton suggested, “If all else fails, let’s go with the letter, the state’s recommendation … They’re recommending the Atmore office stay open. If a decision has to be made, let’s go by the letter. Let’s get you [the commission] off the hook.”
Veterans Richard Keesler lives in Walnut Hill and uses the Atmore office.
“There are a lot of veterans in Walnut Hill and in that area,” he said. “It would be hard [for some] to get to Brewton.”
Where’s the savings?
White spoke up and said he was “not going to be so pessimistic this battle’s over.”
“We got a letter to close Atmore first, then another letter to keep Atmore open,” he said. “I’ve made repeated attempts to get the amount of savings [that would be realized] to close either office. I have asked how much money would be saved by closing an office. [An answer] has not come …
“They’ve already extended [the closing] 30 days. I want to appeal to the director of VA until July 2 when the board meets. In the meantime, I want someone to tell us where the savings are. The state pays no travel, no rent, no utilities. Where is the savings to close either office? We need documents and figures. If we can get a hearing on July 2nd, we’ve got to be there. They may not listen to me, but they’ll listen … to the veterans.”
Addressing White, Thornton said, “What you’re saying sounds good. We appreciate your fighting. If all else fails, are you willing to stand by the second letter?”
“I’m not willing to answer that now,” White replied.
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