The Veterans Assistance Commission of Vermilion County is hoping more veterans will turn to the office for assistance.
Bill Pickett has more…
“We seem to be the best kept secret in Vermilion County,” said Commission member Scott McMillin, a delegate representing American Legion Post 210 during a meeting last night (Wednesday).
The Commission voted to raise the salary for department head Marti Carroll by $10-thousand dollars to $69-thousand dollars. And it also agreed to budget $45-thousand dollars to hire a second person to work in the office. The Commission also budgeted $10,000 to help promote its services.
County Board member Lon Henderson questioned giving the department head a raise. He noted over $450-thousand dollars designated to help veterans has gone unspent over the past four years, but yet he sees veterans standing on a corner needing help. “It’s a disgrace,” said Henderson.
Although the Commission operates independent from county government it was scheduled to receive $265,700 or .02 percent of the EAV (equalized assessed valuation) of county property taxes – whichever is greater. But Jerry Hawker, chairman of the County Board’s Finance Committee, says he and board chairman Steve Miller will propose that figure be reduced to $50-thousand dollars for the next fiscal year. Hawker noted that only $8,800 had been given in direct aid to veterans this past year, and $8,000 the previous year – even though hundreds of thousands of dollars were available. So far this fiscal year the Commission has given $36-thousand dollars in direct aid to veterans according to Hawker
Hawker also questioned why the Commission was paying an attorney $300 an hour to attend the meeting instead of using the Vermilion County States Attorney for legal advice. And Hawker added even the President of the Vermilion County War Museum was unaware the Commission’s office exists.
Commission Superintendent Marti Carroll says she has reached out to social service organizations and placed brochures in veteran locations around the county. Carroll also said she has participated in Danville area local network meetings, explaining why she does not sit in the office from 8:30 until 4:30.
Veterans must make an appointment and cannot just walk into the Commission office, which is located at 123 North Hazel Street in Danville. To make an appointment call 217-554-7950, or email marti.carroll@verco.org.
