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 Minutes Archive |
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Veterans'
Affairs Committee Minutes
Minutes: November 13, 2004
Veterans Affairs Committee meeting convened by Veterans Committee
Chairman Phil Savage at 9:00 A.M.
Pledge of Allegiance–Moment of Silence.
Roll-call of committee members:
| Chair, Phil Savage |
Present |
| Co-Chair, Arnold Arquette |
Present |
| Del Turner |
Present |
| Dave Martin |
Present |
Citizens’ Time:
None
Reading of the September Committee meeting Minutes and September
and October Activity Report:
September Veterans Affairs Committee meeting Minutes were read and
accepted. There were no October Minutes due to the Committee not
meeting in the month of October.
September and October Veterans Affairs’ Activity Reports were read.
Applications for General Assistance from the Soldiers’ and
Sailors’ Relief Fund:
04-12 Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Relief Application for rent–$400.00.
Approved for rent–$400.00
04-13 Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Relief Application for rent–$330.00.
Denied for rent–$330.00 due to insufficient supporting evidence and
proof of income.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
Mr. Savage initiated discussions pertaining to the annual election
of Veterans Affairs’ Committee member positions. Mr. Savage stated
that while nominations were obviously open, he would like to remain as
Committee Chair to pursue securing the 1/10th of a mill for Calhoun
County Veterans Affairs’ office funding. Mr. Turner made a motion to
nominate Mr. Savage as Committee Chair. Mr. Arquette seconded the
motion. Mr. Turner made a motion to nominate Mr. Arquette for
Committee Co-Chair. Mr. Martin seconded the motion.
Mr. Savage put forth to the Committee that he would like to see Mr.
Kaminski reappointed to the Committee–Mr. Kaminski’s appointment
expired on October 31, 2004. Mr. Turner made a motion to petition the
Calhoun County Board of Commissioners to reappoint Mr. Kaminski to the
Committee. Mr. Martin seconded the motion. Discussion ensued as to the
communicative mechanisms for contact with Mr. Kaminski who is
currently serving in Iraq as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States
Marine Corps. The Director stated that he does, in fact, maintain
communication with Mr. Kaminski via email. However, the translation of
forwarded email documents presents some challenges–i.e. computer data
bases inability to translate documents from county data base to Mr.
Kaminski’s data base.
The Director stated that he gave a presentation to the Albion
American Legion post on the evening of October 25, 2004. The Director
stated that the premise behind the presentation was to delineate both
the functions and dynamics of the Calhoun County Veterans’ Affairs
office. The Director stated that the hour and a half presentation was
well received and that there was potential to establish monthly office
hours in the Albion American Legion post. The Director further
informed the Committee that both he and the Service Officer made out
of office contacts with an individual veteran and the Veterans Affairs
Medical Center, Battle Creek monthly Service Officer meeting.
Mr. Arquette raised discussions pertaining to information required
for Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Relief applications. Mr. Arquette stated
that he would like to see an more detailed work history implemented on
the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Relief application form. The Director
stated that he would insure that a more detailed interview regarding
work history would be addressed. Mr. Turner stated that it may be
beneficial to create a checklist for the purposes of addressing
specific information during interviews. Mr. Arquette stated that he
would also like to implement a policy stipulating that veterans
seeking assistance through the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Relief fund
must, first, seek assistance elsewhere before seeking assistance
through the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Relief Fund. Mr. Savage
respectfully disagreed with Mr. Arquette and stated that the Soldiers’
and Sailors’ Relief fund was specifically designed to provide veterans
with an opportunity to seek assistance through the veteran oriented
fund without, first, having to seek assistance elsewhere. Mr. Arquette
disagreed. The Director informed the Committee that both he and the
Service Officer are cognizant of recognizing that other sources may be
available outside the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Relief fund and, if
applicable, will refer veterans to these other sources especially if
those veterans have received grants from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’
Relief fund in the past.
Meeting adjourned at 9:45 A.M.
________________________
Phil Savage
Chair, Calhoun County Veterans’ Affairs Committee
________________________
Scott C. Losey
Director, Calhoun County Veterans’ Affairs
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Several photos included in this 
