Veterans and caregivers are distraught about an abrupt decision to move the veterans service office in Ukiah from a small house on Observatory Avenue to an office space at the county Public Health building. The move is supposed to be effective next week. According to a letter from the commander of the American Legion post in Ukiah, veterans groups did not learn about the move until the last week of December.
Don Burgess, a Vietnam veteran, told the Board of Supervisors yesterday that the current location is special to him and many others. “Had there not been that little house on Observatory, I never would have sought help,” he said. “I felt like I was in a secure place. I was looking for somebody who would listen. I found it there. I’ve been going back since, and they’ve helped a tremendous amount. I wouldn’t go to an office in an administrative building. I would not walk down the long hallway and try to find an office somewhere. The things that we feel, and the things that my brothers and sisters suffered and are still suffering from, whether it’s Agent Orange or PTSD, we just can’t share these in a normal environment, or a normal office.”
Veterans expressed their displeasure for about half an hour yesterday. The caregivers union, which is still in negotiations over a contract, was out in force to petition for better wages. But many union members joined the veterans in blasting the board for the abrupt move and the short notice. Veterans services include much bureaucratic wrangling for health and education benefits, which are especially difficult to navigate for those who are suffering the long term mental, emotional and physical impacts of war. Veterans visit the office for work study through college and to learn how they can obtain a new set of benefits available to service members who have been exposed to toxic chemicals.
Kennedy Cooper is an Iraq veteran who has been involved with the Veterans Service Office since it was on Talmage, before he enlisted in the army. During public comment, he claimed two and half minutes of his allotted time for silence in memorial to veterans who have lost their lives. The only audible sounds were a few doors opening and closing in the hallway, and a woman softly weeping.
Cooper was in the office after the meeting, helping take down posters and poking through a pile of refuse that was lying on the floor. He took a knee beside it with a photo he’d retrieved, saying it hurts to kneel, but he’d do anything for this office.
“I picked something out of the pile, which is a picture of veterans from the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and the American Legion with a previous Board of Supervisors,” he said. “That was a picture put into the trash pile. I’m not sure if that was intentional,” he added with a light laugh. “It’s just a mess. It’s like your landlord has cut your rental contract, you’re being evicted, and you didn’t have time to move out your stuff, so they’re moving it all out for you, and just throwing it into piles.”
Dr. Jenine Miller, who is head of Behavioral Health and Public Health, described the new accommodations, including a private reception area for veterans and a spot for a mural or decorations. She said “we would look at” the possibility of including a third office in addition to the two spaces that are being offered to the veterans service office. “We’re willing to do whatever we need to make that facility feel more welcoming,” she assured the board, adding that she plans to change the signage to make it more clear that the new section of the building is for veterans. “There’s also a beautiful courtyard right next to where the offices are,” which she said would be specifically for the veterans. She also expressed support for bringing the vegetable garden to the new location.
Supervisor John Haschak joined Miller and some of the leaders of local veterans groups on a tour of the new space in public health last week. “I think that the decision has been made,” he said. “So how do you make it as good as possible?” When asked who had made the decision, he said that Veterans’ Services is under Social Services, which is headed by Bekkie Emery. “Dr. Miller is the director of Public Health and Behavioral Health, so it was kind of a collaborative decision,” he added. “And Facilities was involved in this, too.” He noted that, “The communication might not have been ideal;” and that “I’m sure staff is very respectful of the veterans. It’s just that communication has to be constant.”
Haschak said the county lost its lease on the building where Air Quality Management is currently housed, so Air Quality will be moving into the building on Observatory Avenue as soon as possible. He says there will be quarterly meetings with the department heads, the leaders of veterans organizations, and him and Supervisor Glenn McGourty, so that vets aren’t abandoned to “an institutional morass.” Burgess, the Vietnam veteran, said he would have liked some of that from the beginning.
“I don’t know how many veterans organizations you asked before you made this decision,” he told the board. “But it would have been good to talk to a veteran and say, thank you for your service. We’re listening to you.”
Our veterans pleaded with our board and were completly ignored, i’ve never been so ashamed of our county.
This Board of Supervisors has made a huge mistake. They are not concerned with how this affects our veterans! Change the decision. Put Air Quality Management in the Public Health building. Veteran’s Services may be under Social Sevices, so what. Quit making bad decisions over and over again. Listen to your constituents!!!
RIGHT THE WRONG!
Really shameful the way the corrupt bos does business. Smh. I don’t remember this being broadcast to the public before today. Seems like this is another thing the corrupt bos did in the middle of the night.
Can’t “Air Quality Management ” be stuffed in an obscure office somewhere? What a crock!
It honestly makes sense to move the building if it’s part of behavioral health and public services. Sounds like they’re making accommodations to make a private entrance and to make it as welcoming as possible. They’ve even said they’ll accommodate moving the garden. It sounds like the building will be nicer than the one they have now.
Nicer? I don’t think so. It’s hard enough for a veteran to seek assistance when the atmosphere is safe and inviting, like the 405 house. Now the BOS expects a vet to feel comfortable going into a maze of corridors and sit down tiny, claustrophobic office. They don’t understand the VSO office is able to pull off their mission at 1/3 staff precisely because the current office space allows it. The majority of all contact with VSO is walk in, the current space allows that because of the reception area where they can read information will they are waiting to speak to the ONE staff. Maybe they have an opportunity to speak to other vets while they wait, how is that going to work in two small 10×10 offices? No, not nicer.
For many Vets, myself included, this article is the very first we’ve heard of this move. In typical BOS fashion, it seems like another bad decision in a long line of bad decisions. Personally, for the last decade or so I’ve been trying to get myself to to go talk with the VSO about filing a claim but it’s hard. I don’t see the current change making that decision any easier.
H.L. did you listen to the veterans at all during public expression? It takes more than posters and American flags at the door to make it welcoming. Here is the link, take another listen.
https://www.youtube.com/live/hMPqGSIWJ20?si=L0ocpE6H_FDYbxyk
Tell us which Stupidvisor or CEO Office employee you are!
Sorry to read this. Our board of sups just suck.
It’s all about our veteran’s comfort and to get the help they desperately need. Not the Board of Supervisors, or Incorporating veteran’s services into the Public Health Building. Once again, the veterans concerns are not considered, nor was the public notified about this, before the bad decision was made. Veterans needs and concerns are critical to them and our country they fought for and continue to fight for.
Terrible move by the BOS. Veterans deserve more funding and more services, not less and downsizing. Can’t help but feel that prioritizing Air Quality Management District over Veterans Services is part of a larger Climate Agenda, and more. Recall, vote out those responsible, including the BOS.
Honor is not just a word; it’s a pledge written in the language of deeds, spoken through the unwavering commitment to principles, and sealed with the stamp of noble character.
It is something that these vets are familiar with, and what this board severely lacks.
Hasn’t the building moved several times in the past? I get the annoyance but I think people are making a mountain out of a mole hill here. It’s not as though services for our valued vets are being abolished.
The veterans went out and got that building on their own specifically to be in a non government building and to create a better atmosphere. That for me is the detail that makes it fucked up
No big deal? In another article a photo of previous veterans was put into a trash pile. Veterans should have a separate space. Social services isn’t even part of the Veterans. They got separate pay, separate healthcare, which is horribly underfunded. They already go to city for most care. Separate retirements. Separate housing when active. So why are they told now, there building is part of county plans..no longer separate? They are being left out of the process and minimized again, all this for risking their lives and suffering the consequences of military life. It’s disrespectful and the BOS should have found a separate nice office place with confidential space.