Minutes Archive

Veterans' Affairs Committee Minutes

January 9, 2003

Veterans Affairs Committee meeting convened by Veterans Committee Chairman Phil Savage at 8:10 A.M.

Roll-call of committee members:

Chair, Phil Savage	Present
Co-Chair, Arnold Arquette	Present
Dell Turner	Excused
Todd Kaminski	Excused

Citizens’ Time:

None

Reading of the November Committee meeting Minutes and November, December, and Year-End 2002 Activity Report(s):

November Veterans Affairs Committee meeting Minutes were read and accepted.
November, December, and Year-End 2002 Activity Reports were read and accepted.

Old Business:

Committee Chair, Mr. Savage, instructed the Director to have an outreach travel schedule and office assistance in place as quickly as possible.

Mr. Savage, again, brought up the Service Officer’s salary and indicated that Michigan statute prohibits the county human resources office from establishing salary grades. Mr. Savage asked the Director why the Service Officer’s pay increase was not implemented into the 2003 office budget. The Director stated that while he has presented documentation to the county human resources office for the purposes of union negotiations as they pertain to the Director’s request that the Service Officer’s pay be increased, no definitive decision has been made. Again, Mr. Savage vehemently stated that only the VA Committee has the legal standing to make such decisions. Mr. Savage segued those statements into his observation that the millage financing the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Relief Fund was decreased. The Director did inform Mr. Savage that the traditional allotment to the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Relief Fund remained consistent with previous years. Mr. Savage concluded the “old business” discussion by informing the Director that he (the Director) has dragged his feet in presenting the outreach travel schedule. The Director acknowledged Mr. Savage’s comment and stated that he would present a schedule to the Committee at the February meeting. Mr. Savage stated that he would keep the Committee posted as to his pending meeting with either County Civil Counsel Nancy Mullet and/or County Administrator Greg Purcell to discuss the Committee’s legal standing. Mr. Savage further stated that he may even be accompanied by a lawyer to emphasize his interpretation of the statutes governing county veterans affairs offices.

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

02-20	Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Relief applied for rent–$863.00
	Denied for rent–$863.00–Previously tabled, failure to comply with committee stipulations

02-21	Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Relief applied for food and utilities–$370.05
	Approved for food and utilities–$370.05

02-22	Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Relief applied for rent–$515.00
	Approved for rent–$515.00

New Business:

The Director requested that both he and the Service Officer attend the Veterans of Foreign Wars training seminar on February 19 and February 20 in Lansing. Mr. Savage stipulated that attendance is contingent on securing additional office staff either through the AARP program or the Federal Work-Study program. The Director stated that he had numerous discussions with a potential AARP candidate over the past 6-8 weeks. This candidate is a noted county veterans advocate and has worked with our office in the past–most notably during the 2002 World War II High School Diploma Program. The Director informed Mr. Savage that she is willing to work in the office, but recent health issues have prevented her from starting right away. The Director also informed Mr. Savage that two applications have been received from Kellogg College’s Federal Work Study Program. The Director further stated that he was hopeful a veteran would apply and was waiting for further applications. Mr. Savage, again, stated that securing this help has lingered on far too long and action should ensue immediately.

Mr. Savage requested that copies of the Michigan Compiled Laws as they pertain to veterans affairs be distributed to committee members. The Director stated that he must contact a copy center to satisfy this request.

Mr. Savage requested that five additional office keys be cut for distribution to each committee member.

Mr. Savage stated that he is pursuing one additional committee member, however, there is some question as to what constitutes a qualifying era.

Mr. Savage requested that both the Director and the Service Officer inform the committee of potential vacation dates.

Mr. Savage requested that the Director investigate placing a calendar in the office conference room.

Meting adjourned at 9:10 A.M.

________________________
Phil Savage
Chair, Calhoun County Veterans’ Affairs Committee

________________________
Scott C. Losey
Director, Calhoun County Veterans’ Affairs

Calhoun County
315 West Green Street
Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: (269) 781-0700

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