How could the Bath VA consider leasing out, again, property designated for our veterans who served their country honorably? I have not seen any stories in the paper regarding the community meeting held last Thursday by VA director David West. So what’s the scoop?
Management leased out the sixth floor of the hospital in 2007 to be used as a detox by the private sector…why?
According to then-PAO Carl Haneline it was because we needed the money. Why not eliminate a few of those high-paying positions illegally created for civilian friends and family members?
The detox plan was five years in the making with no consideration of the impact it would have on the community.
The Soldiers’ Home/VA was established for Civil War veterans who were promised care and benevolence for their honorable service. This was just a small payment towards the debt we owe to all veterans. To piecemeal it out to the p
rivate sector is just wrong. How does assisted living for civilians on campus benefit the veterans anyway? Thirty years ago the VA housed 600 veterans and was staffed by 200 employees. Today those numbers are reversed!
Just as management informed me that my book “From Soldiers’ Home to Medical Center” could not be sold on station because I would be using federal property to capitalize on “their” history then why are they planning to capitalize on land bestowed upon our veterans?
Management needs to remember that the Soldiers’ Home/VA was established BY veterans FOR veterans!
Robert Yott
Bath
Bath, NY —
