Minutes Archive

Veterans' Affairs Committee Minutes

March 14, 2002

Meeting called to order by Calhoun County Veterans' Affairs Committee Co-Chairman Phil Savage at 8:10 A.M.

Roll-call of committee members:

Chair, Dan Downing, Not Present.

Co-Chair, Phil Savage, Present.

Arnold Arquette, Present.

Citizens' Time:

None

Reading of the January Minutes and Activity Report:

February Veterans Affairs Committee meeting Minutes were read and accepted.

February, 2002 Activity Report was read and accepted.

Old Business:

Mr. Savage inquired about the progress of implementing aA 800" number. The Director informed Mr. Savage that he would, in fact, investigate both pricing and budgeting for possible implementation. The Director did state that if cost became an issue for implementation in 2002, the budget would not support such an expense.

Mr. Savage stated that he talked with a number of Calhoun County Commissioners and County Administrator regarding prospective office space on the third floor of the Toeller Building. Mr. Savage indicated that each person he talked with was, in fact, in favor of the move. Moreover, each person was in favor of the original floor plan with a simple divider wall installed to separate the two suites. Mr. Savage instructed the Director to speak with the Toeller Building manager, Wayne Blakeslee, to expedite the building code inspection.

Mr. Savage stated that he talked with Calhoun County Commission Chair, Mike Nofs, regarding monthly Calhoun County Veterans' Affairs documents not being submitted as part of the Board' s agenda. Mr. Savage' s primary concern was that the Administrator was not getting this information to the Board, therefore, the Board does not have a clear understanding of day to day operations in the Veterans Affairs office. As a result, the Calhoun County Veterans' Affairs office is continually being overlooked as evidenced by both the extremely limited space and many years outdated equipment.

Applications for General Assistance from the Soldiers' and Sailors' Relief Fund:

02-01: General assistance applied for food-$150.00.

General assistance applied for utilities-$109.71

General assistance approved for food and utilities-$359.71.

02-02: General assistance applied for utilities-$120.00.

General assistance approved for utilities-$120.00.

02-03: General assistance applied for food-$150.00.

General assistance approved for food-$150.00.

New Business:

The Director informed the committee that the 2001 statistics were recently released from the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Detroit. Calhoun County now ranks in the top 1% in the state for new compensation benefits being brought into the county. Compensation is the pinnacle and most important benefit sought provided by the VA. The Director noted the following tell-tale statistics:

Calhoun County veteran population dropped from 14,050 in 2000 to 13,616 in 2001.

Calhoun County Veterans' Affairs office generated an increase in compensation benefits for county veterans of $634,780 for the year 2001.

The $634,780 increase in 2001 represents a 85% increase from the year 2000 ($343,826).

This increase is in lieu of losing 5% of county veterans population.

Calhoun County Veterans' Affairs ranks third in the state in the amount of new compensation benefits brought to county veterans. Wayne County is first, but has a veteran population of nearly 200,000. Ingham County is a narrow second ($22,000), but has 10,232 more veterans.

Calhoun County Veteran Affairs ranks first in the state in the percentage of county veterans receiving compensation benefits. This ranking is now two years running. (This ranking considers counties with veteran populations over 10,000).

Given the dramatic increase in statistics over the past two years, Calhoun County has now emerged as one of the most dominant and active county veterans affairs offices in the state of Michigan. The Director also informed the committee that we continue to see veterans from other counties who use our office due to reputation for outstanding representation.

Mr. Savage stated that while the office may rank in the top 1% in effectiveness, there is no doubt that the office ranks in the bottom 1% in facilities and equipment. The Director agreed!

Due to the recent activation for military service, Veterans' Affairs Committee Chair, Dan Downing, must resign from the committee. As a result, Mr. Arquette asked Mr. Savage if he would assume committee chair. Mr. Savage agreed only if Mr. Arquette would become the co-chair. Therefore, Phil Savage is the Veterans' Affairs Committee Chair and Arnold Arquette is the Co-Chair.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 A.M.

________________________

Phil Savage

Chair, Calhoun County Veterans' Affairs Committee

________________________

Scott C. Losey

Director, Calhoun County Veterans' Affairs